Showing papers by "Konkuk University published in 2009"
TL;DR: It is shown that α-synuclein is transmitted via endocytosis to neighboring neurons and neuronal precursor cells, forming Lewy-like inclusions, which provide critical insights into the mechanism of pathological progression in PD and other proteinopathies.
Abstract: Neuronal accumulation of α-synuclein and Lewy body formation are characteristic to many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). This Lewy pathology appears to spread throughout the brain as the disease progresses. Furthermore, recent studies showed the occurrence of Lewy pathology in neurons grafted into the brains of PD patients, suggesting the spread of pathology from the host tissues to the grafts. The mechanism underlying this propagation is unknown. Here, we show that α-synuclein is transmitted via endocytosis to neighboring neurons and neuronal precursor cells, forming Lewy-like inclusions. Moreover, α-synuclein was transmitted from the affected neurons to engrafted neuronal precursor cells in a transgenic model of PD-like pathology. Failure of the protein quality control systems, especially lysosomes, promoted the accumulation of transmitted α-synuclein and inclusion formation. Cells exposed to neuron-derived α-synuclein showed signs of apoptosis, such as nuclear fragmentation and caspase 3 activation, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings demonstrate the cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein aggregates and provide critical insights into the mechanism of pathological progression in PD and other proteinopathies.
1,335 citations
TL;DR: It is found for the first time that Gram‐positive bacteria naturally produce MVs into the extracellular milieu and these observations suggest that the secretion of MVs is an evolutionally conserved, universal process that occurs from simple organisms to complex multicellular organisms.
Abstract: Although archaea, Gram-negative bacteria, and mammalian cells constitutively secrete membrane vesicles (MVs) as a mechanism for cell-free intercellular communication, this cellular process has been overlooked in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we found for the first time that Gram-positive bacteria naturally produce MVs into the extracellular milieu. Further characterizations showed that the density and size of Staphylococcus aureus-derived MVs are both similar to those of Gram-negative bacteria. With a proteomics approach, we identified with high confidence a total of 90 protein components of S. aureus-derived MVs. In the group of identified proteins, the highly enriched extracellular proteins suggested that a specific sorting mechanism for vesicular proteins exists. We also identified proteins that facilitate the transfer of proteins to other bacteria, as well to eliminate competing organisms, antibiotic resistance, pathological functions in systemic infections, and MV biogenesis. Taken together, these observations suggest that the secretion of MVs is an evolutionally conserved, universal process that occurs from simple organisms to complex multicellular organisms. This information will help us not only to elucidate the biogenesis and functions of MVs, but also to develop therapeutic tools for vaccines, diagnosis, and antibiotics effective against pathogenic strains of Gram-positive bacteria.
495 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the spatial configuration of land uses within watersheds in South Korea and examined how spatial patterns of urban, agricultural, and forest land uses measured at both landscape and class levels, related to water quality in adjacent reservoirs from landscape ecological perspective.
433 citations
TL;DR: This review focuses on recent contributions in the development of the electrochemical sensors based on carbon nanotubes, which have unique mechanical and electronic properties, combined with chemical stability, and behave electrically as a metal or semiconductor, depending on their structure.
Abstract: This review focuses on recent contributions in the development of the electrochemical sensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs have unique mechanical and electronic properties, combined with chemical stability, and behave electrically as a metal or semiconductor, depending on their structure. For sensing applications, CNTs have many advantages such as small size with larger surface area, excellent electron transfer promoting ability when used as electrodes modifier in electrochemical reactions, and easy protein immobilization with retention of its activity for potential biosensors. CNTs play an important role in the performance of electrochemical biosensors, immunosensors, and DNA biosensors. Various methods have been developed for the design of sensors using CNTs in recent years. Herein we summarize the applications of CNTs in the construction of electrochemical sensors and biosensors along with other nanomaterials and conducting polymers.
317 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a micro-Raman spectroscopy study on the Raman intensity ratio of the $2D$ band to the $G$ Raman band of graphene varying the thickness of dielectric layers underneath it was conducted.
Abstract: The intensity ratio between two major Raman bands in graphene is one of the most important pieces of information for physics of graphene and has been believed to represent various intrinsic properties of graphene without critical assessment of extrinsic effects. We report a micro-Raman spectroscopy study on the Raman intensity ratio of the $2D$ band to the $G$ Raman band of graphene varying the thickness of dielectric layers $({\text{SiO}}_{2})$ underneath it. The ratio is shown to change by almost 370% when the thickness is varied by 60%. The large variation in the ratio is well explained by theoretical calculations considering multiple Raman scattering events at the interfaces. Our analysis shows that the interference effect is critical in extracting the intrinsic $2D$ to $G$ intensity ratio and therefore must be taken into account in extracting various physical properties of graphene from Raman measurements.
283 citations
TL;DR: Low-fat meat batters with reduced pork fat content (10%) and 10% vegetable oil plus rice bran fiber had improved characteristics relative to the regular fat control and batters supplemented with vegetable oil and rice brans fiber had lower cooking loss and better emulsion stability.
276 citations
TL;DR: A stress coping program based on mindfulness meditation was an effective intervention for nursing students to decrease their stress and anxiety, and could be used to manage stress in student nurses.
263 citations
TL;DR: Nitric oxide is a pivotal signaling messenger in the cardiovascular system and disturbance in NO bioavailability has been linked to cause endothelial dysfunction, leading to increased susceptibility to atherosclerotic lesion progression, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, thrombosis and stroke.
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a pivotal signaling messenger in the cardiovascular system. NO participates in regulatory functions including control of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, platelet and leukocyte interactions with the arterial wall, regulation of vascular tone, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and homeostasis of blood pressure. Diminished NO bioavailability and abnormalities in NO-dependent signaling are among central factors of vascular disease, although it is unclear whether this is a cause of, or result of endothelial dysfunction or both pathogenic events. Disturbances in NO bioavailability have been linked to cause endothelial dysfunction, leading to increased susceptibility to atherosclerotic lesion progression, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, thrombosis and stroke.
254 citations
TL;DR: The recombinant E. coli strains - MG1655, DH5alpha, S17-1, XL1-Blue and BL21 - the DH5 alpha was found to be the best beta-carotene producer and glycerol as the carbon source for beta- carotene production was foundto be superior to glucose, galactose, xylose and maltose.
206 citations
TL;DR: RFA seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of AFTN and a significant improvement of mean T3, fT4, and TSH were observed at last follow-up.
Abstract: Some patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) are not suitable for surgery or radioiodine therapy Therefore, minimally invasive alternative treatments, such as ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are necessary This study included nine patients (4 toxic and 5 pretoxic patients; male to female ratio = 1:8; mean age, 47 ± 17 (range, 25–71) years) who were not eligible for surgery or radioiodine therapy All of the patients showed hot nodule with suppression of normal thyroid gland in 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy RFA was performed using a 17- and 18-gauge internally cooled electrode Nodule volume, thyroid function, scintigraphy, symptom score (visual analogue scale, 0–10 cm), cosmetic grading score (4-point scale), and complications were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up Mean volume of the index nodule was 1498 ± 2553 (range, 029–8229) mL After RFA it decreased at 1 month (1201 ± 2597 mL, p = 0015), 3 months (727 ± 1513 mL, p = 0011), 6 months (827 ± 2129 mL, p = 0008), and the last month (757 ± 1999 mL, p = 0008) Initial mean T3, fT4, and TSH were 1562 ± 421 ng/dL, 173 ± 040 ng/dL, and 0052 ± 0087 mU/mL, respectively A significant improvement of mean T3, fT4, and TSH were observed at last follow-up (T3: 1168 ± 207 ng/dL, p = 0015; fT4: 137 ± 026 ng/dL, p = 0036; TSH: 1454 ± 1756 mU/mL, p = 0012) After ablation, four patients became a cold or normal scan and five remained as a hot nodule The mean symptom and cosmetic grading score was reduced from 24 ± 17 to 06 ± 07 (p = 0011) and from 31 ± 12 to 14 ± 10 (p = 0017), respectively No major complications were encountered RFA seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of AFTN
200 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the micro-scale and nano-scale structures on the wing surfaces of insects were investigated and it was found that the hierarchical multiple roughness structures help in enhancing the hydrophobicity.
TL;DR: Q7R could be considered as a lead compound for development of anti-PEDV drugs to may be used to during the early stage of PEDV replication and the structure-activity data of Q7R may usefully guideline to design other related antiviral agents.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) extracts prepared from 25 cultivars from South Korea.
United States Environmental Protection Agency1, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign2, Carnegie Mellon University3, California Department of Fish and Wildlife4, National Research Council5, University of California, Berkeley6, National Center for Atmospheric Research7, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory8, University at Albany, SUNY9, Science Applications International Corporation10, Harvard University11, Columbia University12, Desert Research Institute13, Washington State University14, United States Department of Agriculture15, Georgia Institute of Technology16, University of Washington17, University of Patras18, Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas19, Goddard Institute for Space Studies20, Konkuk University21, National Center for Supercomputing Applications22
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a synthesis of results that have emerged from recent modeling studies of the potential sensitivity of U.S. regional ozone (O3) concentrations to global climate change (ca. 2050).
Abstract: This paper provides a synthesis of results that have emerged from recent modeling studies of the potential sensitivity of U.S. regional ozone (O3) concentrations to global climate change (ca. 2050). This research has been carried out under the auspices of an ongoing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assessment effort to increase scientific understanding of the multiple complex interactions among climate, emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and air quality. The ultimate goal is to enhance the ability of air quality managers to consider global change in their decisions through improved characterization of the potential effects of global change on air quality, including O3 The results discussed here are interim, representing the first phase of the EPA assessment. The aim in this first phase was to consider the effects of climate change alone on air quality, without accompanying changes in anthropogenic emissions of precursor pollutants. Across all of the modeling experiments carried out by the differe...
TL;DR: The results demonstrate the potential feasibility of HGNs as highly sensitive and homogeneous sensing probes for biological imaging of cancer markers in live cells.
TL;DR: Both autologous and allogenic MSC transplantation could be clinically useful therapeutic approaches for treating SCI and Neurological signs of dogs in both autologistous andallogenic groups were improved in their pelvic limbs after SCI.
TL;DR: The identification of minimal phosphopeptides that specifically interact with the PBD of human PLK1, but not those of the closely related PLK2 and PLK3 is reported, revealing that the C-terminal SpT dipeptide functions as a high-affinity anchor, whereas the N-Terminal residues are crucial for providing specificity and affinity to the interaction.
Abstract: Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) has a pivotal role in cell proliferation and is considered a potential target for anticancer therapy. The noncatalytic polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1 forms a phosphoepitope binding module for protein-protein interaction. Here, we report the identification of minimal phosphopeptides that specifically interact with the PBD of human PLK1, but not those of the closely related PLK2 and PLK3. Comparative binding studies and analyses of crystal structures of the PLK1 PBD in complex with the minimal phosphopeptides revealed that the C-terminal SpT dipeptide functions as a high-affinity anchor, whereas the N-terminal residues are crucial for providing specificity and affinity to the interaction. Inhibition of the PLK1 PBD by phosphothreonine mimetic peptides was sufficient to induce mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death. The mode of interaction between the minimal peptide and PBD may provide a template for designing therapeutic agents that target PLK1.
TL;DR: A specific target will be provided to neutralize endogenous IL‐32, which may contribute to basic and clinical immunology and to produce recombinant protein with a high yield.
Abstract: Cytokines are crucial in host defence against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. A newly described cytokine, interleukin-32 (IL-32), induces various proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) and chemokines in both human and mouse cells through the nuclear factor-kappaB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inflammatory signal pathway. The IL-32 primarily acts on monocytic cells rather than T cells. In an attempt to isolate the IL-32 soluble receptor, we used an IL-32 ligand-affinity column to purify neutrophil proteinase 3, which is a serine proteinase involved in many inflammatory diseases. IL-32 has biological activity associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and chronic proinflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. IL-32 is transcribed as six alternative splice variants and the biological activity of each individual isoform remains unknown. Here, we cloned the complementary DNA of the four IL-32 isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) that are the most representative IL-32 transcripts. To produce recombinant protein with a high yield, the amino acids of two cysteine residues were mutated to serine residues, because serine residues are not conserved among different species. The multi-step purified recombinant IL-32 isoform proteins were assessed for their biological activities with different cytokine assays. The gamma isoform of IL-32 was the most active, although all isoforms were biologically active. The present study will provide a specific target to neutralize endogenous IL-32, which may contribute to basic and clinical immunology.
TL;DR: In this article, an adaptive two-stage extended Kalman filter (ATEKF) using an adaptive fading EKF has been proposed to solve the problem of unknown bias.
Abstract: The well-known conventional Kalman filter requires an accurate system model and exact stochastic information. But in a number of situations, the system model has an unknown bias, which may degrade the performance of the Kalman filter or may cause the filter to diverge. The effect of the unknown bias may be more pronounced on the extended Kalman filter (EKF), which is a nonlinear filter. The two-stage extended Kalman filter (TEKF) with respect to this problem has been receiving considerable attention for a long time. Recently, the optimal two-stage Kalman filter (TKF) for linear stochastic systems with a constant bias or a random bias has been proposed by several researchers. A TEKF can also be similarly derived as the optimal TKF. In the case of a random bias, the TEKF assumes that the information of a random bias is known. But the information of a random bias is unknown or partially known in general. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an adaptive two-stage extended Kalman filter (ATEKF) using an adaptive fading EKF. To verify the performance of the proposed ATEKF, the ATEKF is applied to the INS-GPS (inertial navigation system-Global Positioning System) loosely coupled system with an unknown fault bias. The proposed ATEKF tracked/estimated the unknown bias effectively although the information about the random bias was unknown.
TL;DR: Under careful case selection, BTX-A may be an effective treatment alternative for patients with excessive gingival display caused by hyperactive lip elevator muscles.
Abstract: Objective: To propose a safe and reproducible injection point for botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) as a supplementary method for the treatment of gummy smile, as determined by assessment of the morphologic characteristics of three lip elevator muscles. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 hemi-faces from 25 adult cadavers (male 13, female 12; ages, 47 to 88 years) were used in this study. Topographic relations and the directions of the lip elevator muscles (ie, levator labii superioris [LLS], levator labii superioris alaeque nasi [LLSAN], and zygomaticus minor [ZMi]), were investigated. Possible injection points were examined through the study of predetermined surface landmarks. Results: The insertion of the LLS was covered partially or entirely by the LLSAN and the ZMi, and the three muscles converged on the area lateral to the ala. The mean angle between the facial midline and each muscle vector was 25.8 ± 4.8 degrees for the LLS, 55.7 ± 6.4 degrees for the ZMi, and −20.2 ± 3.2 degrees for the LLSAN; ...
TL;DR: A white rot fungus, identified as Trametes hirsuta, was found to contain efficient cellulose degrading enzymes and may be a good choice for the production of reducing sugars from cellulosic biomass.
TL;DR: The experimental results demonstrate the potential feasibility of antibody-conjugated GNRs for the highly sensitive targeting and imaging of biomarkers expressed on the surface membrane of cancer cells.
Abstract: Antibody-conjugated gold nanorods (GNRs) have been used for the targeting and imaging of specific cancer markers expressed on the surface membrane of cancer cells. GNRs with various aspect ratios were fabricated, and their surface-enhanced Raman scattering enhancement effects were evaluated. To attach the GNRs selectively onto the targets in cancer cells, specific antibodies were immobilized on the surface of GNRs using the layer-by-layer deposition method. First, Raman reporter molecules, mercaptopyridine, were attached to the surface of GNRs, and their surface charge was modified using poly(sodium 4-styrene-sulfonate) to make the surface charge negative. Then, anti-rabbit IgGs were immobilized onto the surface of the GNRs by electrostatic interactions. HER2 markers, expressed on the cell surface, were treated with anti-HER2 primary antibodies. Finally, the functionalized nanoprobes, conjugated with secondary antibodies, were attached to the markers on cancer cells by antibody–antibody interactions. In the present study, MCF7 cells overexpressing breast cancer marker HER2 were used as the optical imaging targets. Our experimental results demonstrate the potential feasibility of antibody-conjugated GNRs for the highly sensitive targeting and imaging of biomarkers expressed on the surface membrane of cancer cells.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the encapsulation of eugenol as a volatile active substance by inclusion with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodesxtrin, and by an emulsion-diffusion method with polycaprolactone (PCL).
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the pmx gene cluster is responsible for polymyxin biosynthesis.
Abstract: Polymyxin, a long-known peptide antibiotic, has recently been reintroduced in clinical practice because it is sometimes the only available antibiotic for the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Lack of information on the biosynthetic genes of polymyxin, however, has limited the study of structure-function relationships and the development of improved polymyxins. During whole genome sequencing of Paenibacillus polymyxa E681, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, we identified a gene cluster encoding polymyxin synthetase. Here, we report the complete sequence of the gene cluster and its function in polymyxin biosynthesis. The gene cluster spanning the 40.6-kb region consists of five open reading frames, designated pmxA, pmxB, pmxC, pmxD, and pmxE. The pmxC and pmxD genes are similar to genes that encode transport proteins, while pmxA, pmxB, and pmxE encode polymyxin synthetases. The insertional disruption of pmxE led to a loss of the ability to produce polymyxin. Introduction of the pmx gene cluster into the amyE locus of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome resulted in the production of polymyxin in the presence of extracellularly added L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the pmx gene cluster is responsible for polymyxin biosynthesis.
TL;DR: It has been found that the oxygen vacancy induces lattice distortion in rutile TiO(2), whereas there is no such meaningful change in the anatase structure.
Abstract: Using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method, we have investigated the oxygen vacancy defect induced ferromagnetism in both rutile and anatase TiO2. It has been found that the oxygen vacancy induces lattice distortion in rutile TiO2, whereas there is no such meaningful change in the anatase structure. Interestingly, the lattice distorted rutile TiO2 shows an oxygen vacancy induced ferromagnetic state with a magnetic moment of 0.22 µB in the Ti atom neighboring the vacancy site, while only 0.06 µB is observed in the Ti atom in anatase TiO2. We attribute the sizable magnetic moment due to the oxygen vacancy in rutile TiO2 to the charge redistribution owing to lattice distortion. Experimentally measured magnetic hysteresis curves for undoped rutile and anatase TiO2 films clearly display ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The observed magnetic strength of the rutile sample turns out to be larger than that of the anatase sample, in accordance with the theoretical calculations.
TL;DR: It is shown for the first time that by treating SCNT embryos with another HDACi, scriptaid, all the important inbred mouse strains can be cloned and the success of somatic nuclear reprogramming and cloning efficiency via nuclear transfer technique is clearly linked to the competent de novo synthesis of nascent mRNA in cloned mouse embryos.
Abstract: Since the birth of Cumulina, the first mouse clone produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the success rate of cloning in mice has been extremely low compared with other species and most of the inbred mouse strains have never been cloned. Recently, our laboratory has found that treatment of SCNT mouse embryos with trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), improved the full-term development of B6D2F1 mouse clones significantly. However, this was not effective for the inbred strains. Here, we show for the first time that by treating SCNT embryos with another HDACi, scriptaid, all the important inbred mouse strains can be cloned, such as C57BL/6, C3H/He, DBA/2, and 129/Sv. Moreover, the success of somatic nuclear reprogramming and cloning efficiency via nuclear transfer technique is clearly linked to the competent de novo synthesis of nascent mRNA in cloned mouse embryos.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that increased hypothalamic ER stress in obese animals may induce central leptin and insulin resistance.
Abstract: Leptin and insulin are important anorexigenic hormones acting on the hypothalamus. However, most obese humans and animals have reduced hypothalamic responses to leptin and insulin. Increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been shown to cause insulin resistance in the livers of obese animals. In the present study, we investigated a role of ER stress in the development of central leptin and insulin resistance. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the ER stress inducer thapsigargin (TG) increased food intake and body weight. Furthermore, ICV or intra-hypothalamic administration of TG inhibited the anorexigenic and weight-reducing effects of leptin and insulin. ICV administration of TG by itself activated signal-transduction-activated-transcript-3 (STAT3) and Akt in the hypothalamus, but prevented a further activation of hypothalamic STAT3 and Akt by leptin and insulin. We also found that the expression of the ER stress markers such as phosphorylation of the inositol-requiring kinase-1 (IRE1), spliced form of X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1s), glucose-regulated/binding immunoglobulin protein-78, and C/EBP homology protein (CHOP) increased in the hypothalami of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Furthermore, treatment of chemical chaperone 4-phenyl butylic acid significantly improved central leptin resistance in DIO mice. These findings suggest that increased hypothalamic ER stress in obese animals may induce central leptin and insulin resistance.
TL;DR: By using specific CT criteria, ectopic pancreas can be differentiated from small GIST or leiomyoma with a high degree of accuracy.
Abstract: Purpose: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings of ectopic pancreas and to identify the features that differentiate it from other similarly manifesting gastric submucosal tumors such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyoma, which are the most common gastrointestinal submucosal tumors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and did not require informed consent. CT images of pathologically proved ectopic pancreases (n = 14), GISTs (n = 33), and leiomyomas (n = 7) in the stomach and duodenum were retrospectively reviewed. Analysis of the CT findings included evaluation of the location, contour, growth pattern, border, enhancement pattern, and enhancement grade of the tumor, as well as the presence of surface dimpling, prominent enhancement of overlying mucosa, and low intralesional attenuation. The attenuation of each lesion, the long diameter (LD), the short diameter (SD), and the LD/SD ratio were measured. Among these findin...
TL;DR: Iterative in situ click chemistry and the one-bead-one-compound method for the creation of a peptide library enable the fragment-based assembly of selective high-affinity protein-capture agents.
Abstract: Iterative in situ click chemistry (see scheme for the tertiary ligand screen) and the one-bead-one-compound method for the creation of a peptide library enable the fragment-based assembly of selective high-affinity protein-capture agents. The resulting ligands are water-soluble and stable chemically, biochemically, and thermally. They can be produced in gram quantities through copper (I)-catalyzed cycloaddition.
TL;DR: In difficult cases, at PET/CT the presence of diffuse uptake of FDG by the pancreas or concomitant extrapancreatic uptake by the salivary glands can be used to aid in differentiation of autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of PET/CT in differentiating autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODS. To differentiate autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer, we analyzed the cases of 17 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis and atypical pancreatic imaging findings who underwent integrated PET/CT. The PET/CT findings on the 17 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis were compared with those of 151 patients with pancreatic cancer.RESULTS. Flourine-18 FDG uptake by the pancreas was found in all patients with autoimmune pancreatitis and in 82% (124/151) of patients with pancreatic cancer. Diffuse uptake by the pancreas was significantly more frequent in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (53% vs 3%, p < 0.001). FDG uptake by the salivary glands and kidneys was seen only in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis, the former reaching statistical significance (p = 0.003). Follow-up PET/CT after steroid therapy was performed for eight p...