Mutations in the arginine-rich protein gene (ARP) in pancreatic cancer.

The ARP gene encodes a highly conserved arginine-rich protein from chromosomal band 3p21.1. At the cytogenetic level this region is frequently deleted in a variety of different solid tumors, although not in pancreatic cancer. We have reported the presence of a specific mutation (ATG50-->AGG) or deletion of codon 50 of the ARP gene in different tumor types (Shridhar et al., 1996, 1996a). In the present study, we have observed mutations involving codon 50 in 11 of 37 pancreatic tumors. The frequency of codon 50 mutation is roughly the same in pancreatic tumors as in the other types of tumors previously examined. In addition, we have detected mutations at codon 51 in multiple PCR subclones in two other pancreatic tumors. Mutations in the ARP gene are thus commonly observed in pancreatic cancer, as well as many other cancers.

Barriers to the adoption of reduced-fat diets in a UK population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess perceived and actual barriers to dietary fat reduction. DESIGN: A 20-week intervention study was carried out to investigate the problems encountered by persons attempting to reduce their fat intake. SUBJECTS: Seventy subjects initially consuming moderately high-fat diets were recruited from the local area by newspaper advertisement. Sixty-one completed the study. INTERVENTION: Subjects were randomized into either a control or an experimental group. Subjects in the experimental group (n = 45) received instruction on reducing their intake of fat using current dietary recommendations. All subjects initially completed a questionnaire to assess their beliefs and attitudes regarding selected dietary changes, and the experimental group also completed a similar questionnaire at intervals during the study. Weighed diet records were completed by all subjects throughout the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine changes in nutrient intake. Univariate analysis of variance was used to examine differences in barriers encountered by most and least successful fat reducers. RESULTS: Perceived barriers reflected actual problems encountered. One of the most consistently reported problems was that of reduction in taste quality of the diet. Other problems included an increase in cost, decrease in convenience, lack of family support for certain changes, and an inability to judge the fat content of diets. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Strategies aimed at improving the taste of low-fat diets, increasing awareness of fat intake, and increasing family support may be most effective in promoting greater adherence to dietary guidelines intended to achieve reductions in fat consumption.

Changing to a low fat diet: attitudes and beliefs of UK consumers.

A questionnaire on attitudes and beliefs regarding low fat diets was mailed to 2000 consumers throughout the United Kingdom. Information was also obtained about present fat intake by means of a food frequency questionnaire. A total of 665 (33%) questionnaires were returned of which 390 (20%) were completed correctly and used in the present analysis. Respondents were divided into tertiles for percentage energy from fat, allowing classification into low, medium and high fat intake groups, and no consistent differences emerged in the attitudes and beliefs of respondents. The majority of people were familiar with current guidelines concerning reduction of fat intake and accepted the putative health benefits of adopting lower fat diets. Regardless of actual fat intake, the majority of people felt that their diet was healthy and was not high in fat, and indicated that they had already reduced their fat intake. A major barrier to reducing fat intake in the UK may therefore be associated with a general failure to recognize what comprises effective dietary change.

Effect of extrinsic incentives on use of test anxiety as an anticipatory attributional defense: playing it cool when the stakes are high.

We conducted an experiment to assess the effect of extrinsic incentives on the use of test anxiety as a self-handicapping strategy. We hypothesized that although reports of anxiety may be greater when such symptoms can serve a defensive function, this effect occurs only when extrinsic incentives are low and not under conditions of high extrinsic incentive. Eighty-four male undergraduates anticipated taking a test of intellectual abilities and either were led to believe that test anxiety has no effect on test performance or were given no particular information about the relation between test anxiety and performance. Subjects were offered either +5 or +25 for obtaining the highest score on the test. Consistent with predictions, no-information subjects reported greater test anxiety before the test than did those who believed that test anxiety was unrelated to performance, but only when the extrinsic incentive for performance was low. However, these subjects did not report greater cognitive interference or exhibit lower test scores than did subjects in other conditions. It is tentatively suggested that the defensive strategy used by these subjects consisted of altering perceptions of anxiety, rather than anxiety itself. The implications of the absence of self-handicapping under high incentive conditions are discussed.