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个人简介
The scientific and clinical community interested in research on sterols, lipoproteins, and atherosclerosis has lost a devoted pioneer, scientist, clinician, and educator who made highly significant contributions for five decades. Tatu A. Miettinen, MD, PhD, passed away in Phuket, Thailand, on November 30, 2011. Tatu had a wonderful career and was still active in research when he died at the age of 81 years. He was discussing various research projects a few days before he died tragically in a car accident. Tatu was happiest when designing, carrying out, and reporting investigations that focused on lipids and atherosclerosis. He published over 450 scientific articles. Several of these appear this year, and more will follow.
Tatu was born in Lapinlahti, Finland, spent his childhood in Eastern Finland, and started his research during his medical training as an assistant at the Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, in 1956. He achieved his M.D. in 1958 and finalized his work as a Doctor of Medical Sciences (PhD) in 1961. Tatu started his clinical training in 1962 for the specialty of internal medicine. In 1963, he was accepted to be a research fellow under Dr. E. H. (Pete) Ahrens, Jr., at the Rockefeller University, New York. His research with Pete Ahrens was pioneering and provided a foundation for our understanding of cholesterol metabolism in man. I (S.M.G.) was fortunate to be a colleague in this research with Tatu and Pete Ahrens. Tatu was subsequently appointed Professor of Medicine and the Head of the Second Department of Medicine at the University of Helsinki in 1973. Tatu was honored in 1984 with the most prestigious research award in Finland, the Matti Äyräpää Award, given by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim.
Tatu made numerous contributions to our understanding of cholesterol metabolism. Two important early papers focusing on cholesterol balance were published in 1963 that laid the basis for the subsequent understanding of various aspects of cholesterol metabolism (1, 2). The regulation of the synthesis and excretion of cholesterol was further expanded by Tatu's extensive research on the role of cholesterol absorption in the determination of plasma lipid levels, clearance of LDL from plasma, and overall cholesterol metabolism (3–6). Tatu performed numerous studies on cholesterol metabolism in clinical situations, such as malabsorption in celiac disease, chronic liver diseases, and gallstone formation. He also developed the now widely applied methodology for the measurement of cholesterol precursor sterols as indicators of cholesterol synthesis and absorption (7, 8) and observed that low absorption of cholesterol was related to high cholesterol synthesis and effective clearance of LDL from plasma.
Tatu's innovative thinking led also to the development of sitostanol ester combined with margarine as a mechanism to inhibit cholesterol absorption, resulting in lower plasma cholesterol. This led to the development of the now world famous product Benecol by the Raisio company in Finland (9, 10). This accomplishment resulted in Tatu receiving the Inno Finland Diploma in 1996, awarded by the President of Finland.
Tatu's interest was also in the treatment of lipid disorders and in the prevention of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. In the 1960s,Tatu initiated the so-called Helsinki Businessmen Study that resulted in a number of important publications on the role of risk factors for atherosclerosis (11, 12). Part of these studies were also related to a multiple risk factor strategy for the treatment and prevention of heart disease. Importantly, Tatu was also one of the initiators of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S), which subsequently showed the beneficial impact of statin therapy in lowering both CVD morbidity as well as overall mortality. This study was of pivotal importance in achieving general acceptance of statin therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (13). In general, Tatu wanted his work to result in concrete actions, to diminish human suffering.
Tatu had a remarkable role in training young scientists. Throughout his career, Tatu inspired young colleagues by his spirit in research, and he supervised the dissertation training of many medical and graduate students. Tatu's everlasting guidance and enthusiasm made it possible for researchers to work in this stimulating atmosphere.
Tatu had a unique capability of working effectively in a variety of settings in the medical community. In addition to his highly productive research program, he was the Head of the Second Department of Medicine and during an extended period of time, the Medical Director of the Meilahti Hospital of the Helsinki University Hospital. Before retiring, Tatu constantly performed fulltime clinical duties, including attending on the wards, problem-solving meetings, and Grand Rounds. He was also a devoted teacher for residents. Tatu was a unique combination of scientist, teacher, clinician, and administrator.
Tatu was known as a reliable and joyful friend. His love of sports, particularly running and cross-country skiing, was well known, and he showed his remarkable physical condition and capability in high performance activities throughout his life. It was typical for Tatu to start the day with a refreshing run early in the morning, even during major congresses like American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and Congresses of the European Atherosclerosis Society. Tatu was also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. It is clear that all of us scientists, clinicians, friends, and family members feel much sorrow and great loss after Tatu's tragic death. On the other hand, we all are grateful for his long life and many contributions, and for the privilege of having known this multitalented and remarkable man.
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论文共 399 篇作者统计合作学者相似作者
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Giorgi Tskhvarashvili,Katja M. Hakkarainen,Riho Klement, Pia Vattulainen,Tatu Miettinen,Saku Torvinen,Juha Lievonen
Saku Torvinen, Ville Vihervaara,Tatu Miettinen,Jari Jokelainen,Melissa Bauer, Anu Marttila, Klaus Tamminen, Jonna Salonen
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciencesno. 1 (2021)
semanticscholar(2016)
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Tuire Prami, A Sulamaa, Risto Sipila,Milla S Linna, J Hahl,Tatu A Miettinen, E Leppa,Jari Haukka,J Tuomilehto,Hannes Enlund,Leo Niskanen,Pasi Korhonen
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