Frequency of 3' VNTR Polymorphism in the Dopamine Transporter Gene SLC6A3 in Humans Predisposed to Antisocial Behavior

Predisposition to antisocial behavior can be related to the presence of certain polymorphic variants of genes encoding dopaminergic system proteins. We studied the frequencies of allele variants and genotypes of variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in 3' untranslated region (3' VTNR) of the dopaminergic transporter SLC6A3 gene in Caucasian men committed socially dangerous violent and non-violent crimes. Alleles with 9 and 10 repeats were most frequent in both the control group and group of men predisposed to antisocial behavior. At the same time, the 10/10 genotype was more frequently observed in the group of men prone to antisocial non-violent behavior. Hence, the presence of certain variants of 3' VTNR polymorphism of SLC6A3 gene in men is associated with predisposition to certain forms of antisocial behavior.

[The topical problems of physical health of the children and adolescents]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of the physical development and health of the children and adolescents depending on the age and sex using the methods and principles of pathophysiological investigations. The study involved 15,067 Moscow-based schoolchildren at the age varying from 7 to 17 years, including 7,760 boys and 7,307 girls. It was shown that the girls aged 7-14 and boys 8-16 years had body mass index (BMI) significantly different from the respective normal-for-age values. The boys aged 8 years or more had a significantly higher BMI than the girls of the same age which suggests a greater prevalence of the hypersthenic body type among the boys of this age group. The most intensive growth of body mass index was observed in both the girls and the boys during the period between 8 and 9 years. It is concluded that BMI in addition to gender and age is a major factor influencing the health status of the schoolchildren. The children and adolescents having the normal body type were characterized by a higher physical health index (PHI) in comparison to those with hypo- or hypersthenic body type. The index of physical health sharply decreased in both the boys and the girls within the first school year. A rise in the index of physical health was observed in the girls starting from the age of 14 years and in the boys from the age of 13 years. By the age of 17 years, the boys had a higher index of physical health in comparison with that in the girls. By the time of graduation from school, the index of physical health was lower regardless of gender than it was at the entry to school.

[Adipose tissue composition in puberty and postpuberty according to age, sex (gender), physical activity and alimentary behavior]

The study involved 110 adolescents from 15 to 22 years (35 boys, 75 girls). To assess eating habits and physical activity we used WHO questionnaires. We also analyzed anthropometry, bioimpedance data, parameters of the cardiovascular system: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate. It has been shown, that body mass index (BMI) in adolescents didn’t correlate with the content of both total and visceral adipose tissue in the body and shoud not be used as a major diagnostic criterion of obesity. An excessive content of total adipose tissue was shown in 15% of the puberty and postpuberty teens. Visceral fat content was significantly higher in male, than female (3.03±3.31 vs 2.11±1.57%), independently of the total fat percentage (18.91±16.83 and 31.72±19.24% respectively). The visceral fat in the body begins to increase in age of 16. According to the authors, such an effect in boys and girls is associated with the final changes of puberty (concentration of sex steroids). Such hormons like testosterone and progesterone and estradiol have different effects on the white adipose tissue and play a key role in proceses of its differentiation and metabolism. Percentage of total adipose tissue depends on dietary habits in the first place – the predominance of fast food. A significant relationship of physical activity and the percentage of visceral fat was shown.

[Association between personality disorders and criminal behavior in young drug-addicted men]

An association between psychoactive agents and different types of personality disorders and criminal behavior was studied in 240 men aged 10-33 years. Based on the data of a clinical-psychopathological method used in the combination with statistical data analysis adjusted for the age of patients, the authors conclude that a personality disorder is a strong predictor of addiction and criminal behavior.

[The dynamics of psychologic distress in patients with maxillofacial and laryngeal malignancies]

The study of psychological dynamics involved in malignancies of the maxillofacial area and larynx included 38 male patients (tumors in maxillofacial area--26; neoplasia of larynx--12). Patients were given different regimens of radiation and radiotherapy; 11 were operated on. Psycho-disorders induced by tumor disease and admission to cancer ward were reported in 35 (92%). With time, such disorders were progressively overshadowed by somato-psychic changes, with asthenic syndrome prevailing, and subsequently psychopath-like features developed. Psycho-organic syndrome was registered in 16 patients as they were approaching terminal stage.