Björn Folkow
2012; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 61; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Sueco
10.1161/hypertensionaha.111.00239
ISSN1524-4563
AutoresGerald F. DiBona, Allyn L. Mark,
ResumoHomeHypertensionVol. 61, No. 1Björn Folkow Free AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBBjörn Folkow Gerald F. DiBona Allyn L. Mark Gerald F. DiBonaGerald F. DiBona University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA Gothenburg University Gothenburg, Sweden Allyn L. MarkAllyn L. Mark University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, IA Originally published19 Nov 2012https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.00239Hypertension. 2013;61:4Other version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: January 1, 2012: Previous Version 1 Björn Folkow, a giant in the history of hypertension research, died at the age of 91 on July 23, 2012 after a brief illness. An imposing but gentle man, he was revered as a teacher, mentor, and advocate for young scientists. His contributions to hypertension research, both experimental and conceptual, were towering.A major focus of Bjorn's research was vascular reactivity and remodeling and how these were influenced by central neural sympathetic mechanisms. He examined the functional effects of myogenic and neurohormonal control mechanisms on transmural and perfusion pressure in blood vessels. His studies of these pressures and the arterial wall/lumen ratio provided insight into the relationship between vascular wall structure and function.1,2 These insightful studies provided the foundation for the current understanding of vascular hypertrophy, remodeling, and function, and for the role of sympathetic nervous system in hypertension. In an era when hypertension was focused on the kidney and the renin-angiotensin system, Björn's research on central neural and vascular mechanisms buttressed research in these fields and heralded their prominence today.Björn was appointed Professor of Physiology at the newly established medical school in the University of Gothenburg in 1961. He served as Professor and Head of Department for 26 years until his retirement in 1987. He demonstrated the ability to combine creative and innovative research with a generous and compassionate leadership style. His leadership style readily earned the confidence and respect of the students, staff, and faculty in the department. After his retirement he remained a presence in the department, always finding time to counsel students and colleagues. With his death after 62 years of dedicated engagement with the department from the time of its origin, it can be said that an era has passed at the University of Gothenburg.Björn trained generations of physiologists who have gone on to independent careers in cardiovascular research. His mentoring extended far beyond his own trainees. This man of imposing physique and intellect counseled many young scientists from around the world. These encounters were always gentle, penetrating, and indelible. He was an ambassador for hypertension research.Björn's scholarly writing was lucid and pedagogic. The initial contact with cardiovascular physiology via Folkow and Neil's book Circulation remains a memorable experience for many.3 His comprehensive reviews provided clear assessment of the current state of knowledge and guidelines for future research in hypertension and cardiovascular physiology.1,2 In later years, his perceptive and piercing commentaries provided unique and often previously unconsidered insights.4Björn's international stature and recognition in hypertension research were enormous. He was an elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He was a member of the European Society of Hypertension, the International Society of Hypertension, and the Council for High Blood Pressure Research of the American Heart Association. He received the Anders Jahre Senior Medical Prize (1980) and the Ciba Award for Hypertension Research (1980). As an honorary member of the American Physiological Society, he delivered the inaugural Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lecture (1994). In 1987, the European Society of Hypertension established a Björn Folkow Award to be given to "a person or persons who have carried out original research in physiology that has contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension."Björn had keen insights and perceptions as to what was of critical importance and this enabled him to set priorities and pursue a focused approach to research. He possessed a remarkable scientific intuition based on intelligence, broad fund of knowledge, logical thinking, and a unique capacity to integrate. His research work leaves us with a well-grounded framework concerning the pathophysiology of the vasculature in hypertension. His legacy in terms of those fortunate to be trained by him in cardiovascular science is impressive.Björn is survived by his wife Bjørg and 6 children, including a son who followed his example as Professor of Physiology, University of Tromsø, Norway. Outside of physiology, Björn was a passionate angler who understood that all men are equal before fish. His summer rustication period in Vrådal, Telemark, Norway provided rejuvenation and was known to be inviolate.We will remember Björn Folkow as a peerless scientific colleague and a warm friend who motivated, stimulated, and inspired by his actions and accomplishments.Gerald F. DiBonaUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa City, IAGothenburg UniversityGothenburg, SwedenAllyn L. MarkUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa City, IAReferences1. Folkow B. Physiological aspects of primary hypertension.Physiol Rev. 1982; 62:347–504.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Folkow B, Svanborg A. Physiology of cardiovascular aging.Physiol Rev. 1993; 73:725–764.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Folkow B, Neil E. Circulation. London, United Kingdom:Oxford University Press;1971.Google Scholar4. Folkow B. On bias in medical research; reflections on present salt-cholesterol controversies.Scand Cardiovasc J. 2011; 45:194–197.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By Sziva R, Fontányi Z, Pál É, Hadjadj L, Monori-Kiss A, Horváth E, Benkő R, Magyar A, Heinzlmann A, Benyó Z, Nádasy G and Várbíró S (2020) Vitamin D Deficiency Induces Elevated Oxidative and Biomechanical Damage in Coronary Arterioles in Male Rats, Antioxidants, 10.3390/antiox9100997, 9:10, (997) Titze J and Luft F (2017) Speculations on salt and the genesis of arterial hypertension, Kidney International, 10.1016/j.kint.2017.02.034, 91:6, (1324-1335), Online publication date: 1-Jun-2017. Toka O, Tank J, Schächterle C, Aydin A, Maass P, Elitok S, Bartels-Klein E, Hollfinger I, Lindschau C, Mai K, Boschmann M, Rahn G, Movsesian M, Müller T, Doescher A, Gnoth S, Mühl A, Toka H, Wefeld-Neuenfeld Y, Utz W, Töpper A, Jordan J, Schulz-Menger J, Klussmann E, Bähring S and Luft F (2015) Clinical Effects of Phosphodiesterase 3A Mutations in Inherited Hypertension With Brachydactyly, Hypertension, 66:4, (800-808), Online publication date: 1-Oct-2015. January 2013Vol 61, Issue 1 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2012 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.00239PMID: 23362518 Originally publishedNovember 19, 2012 PDF download Advertisement SubjectsRemodeling
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