Background: Aggressive behavior (AB) represents an important social problem, which results in significant costs for the society. A significant role in developing aggression is suggested to be mediated by molecular mechanisms related to the functioning of oxytocin (OXTR) and arginine vasopressin receptor (AVPR1B) genes involved in the regulation of social behavior. On the other hand, a specificity of environmental factors affecting an individual at various stages of development may modulate the molecular processes, especially at gene expression level, thus affecting human’s ability to self-control and resulting in AB manifestation. The aim of the study: Considering a multifactorial nature of developing aggression, the present study is aimed to estimate both the genetic- and haplotype-based effects of the OXTR and AVPR1B genes and gene-by-environment interactions in developing AB. Materials and methods: The genotyping of the OXTR (rs2228485, rs53576) and AVPR1B (rs33911258) gene variants was conducted via PCR with fluorescent detection in 189 criminal offenders (7% women) from the Republic of Bashkortostan, who committed murders, and the control group (N=254, 12% women) corresponding to the group of criminal offenders by ethnicity and age. Statistical analysis was performed via logistic regression with correction for multiple comparisons (PLINK v.1.09). Results: As a result of statistical analysis the association of rs2228485 A-allele and AG haplotype (rs2228485 and rs53576) in the OXTR gene with an enhanced risk for developing AB was observed. In addition, we demonstrated a modulating effect of such environmental factors as the presence of severe somatic diseases, alcohol addiction, fa milial history of psychopathologies, income and education level. Moreover, the effect of rs33911258 G-allele in the AVPR1B gene on AB was observed. Conclusion: The data obtained evidence that the examined variants in the AVPR1B and OXTR genes in combination with specific environmental factors may affect neuronal systems functioning, thus resulting in the manifestation of antisocial behavior.

Self-regulation is the ability to control one’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts in the pursuit of long-term goals. It’s assumed that individual differences in a system of self-regulation arise from complex interactions between environmental and hereditary factors, that may be linked to abnormal functioning of neurotransmitter systems in the brain yet the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to assess the main effects of arginine-vasopressin receptor gene polymorphisms (AVPR1A (rs1042615 and rs3803107), AVPR1B (rs28632197 and rs33911258)) and gene-environmental interactions on individual differences in a system of self-regulation of behavior in 692 mentally healthy individuals with sex and ethnicity inclusion as covariates. Statistical analysis revealed the association of AVPR1A rs1042615 A-allele with an increased score on the modeling scale in women (β = 0,212; r2 = 0,008; P = 0,039) and Udmurts (β = 0,41; r2 = 0,032; P = 0,044), as well as the association of AVPR1B rs28632197 A-allele with an increased score on the programming scale in Tatars (β = 0,212; r2 = 0,008; P = 0,039). In addition, we revealed that «maltreatment», «smoking», «residence (rural)», «family content (incomplete family)», «order of birth (third child and younger)» and significantly affected on association of rs1042615, rs3803107, rs28632197 и rs33911258 and individual differences in a system of self-regulation of behavior (P < 0,03).

To date, multiple efforts have been made to use genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to untangle the genetic basis for SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility and severe COVID-19. However, data on the genetic-related effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the presence of accompanying and long-term post-COVID-19 neurological symptoms in younger individuals remain absent. We aimed to examine the possible association between SNPs found in a GWAS of COVID-19 outcomes and three phenotypes: SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurological complications during disease progression, and long-term neurological complications in young adults with a mild-to-moderate disease course. University students (N = 336, age 18–25 years, European ancestry) with or without COVID-19 and neurological symptoms in anamnesis comprised the study sample. Logistic regression was performed with COVID-19-related phenotypes as outcomes, and the top 25 SNPs from GWAS meta-analyses and an MR study linking COVID-19 and cognitive deficits were found. We replicated previously reported associations of the FURIN and SLC6A20 gene variants (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.31–4.24) and OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.08–3.49, respectively) and remaining neurological complications (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.10–4.35 for SLC6A20), while NR1H2 (OR = 2.99, 95% CI 1.39–6.69) and TMPRSS2 (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.19–3.50) SNPs were associated with neurological symptoms accompanying COVID-19. Our findings indicate that genetic variants related to a severe COVID-19 course in adults may contribute to the occurrence of neurological repercussions in individuals at a young age.

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The monograph is devoted to the study of the socio-psychological features of regional elections that influence the socio-political behavior of the electorate. The authors propose a new understanding of the psychological nature of the processes of forming the voting choice, which brings us closer to a more correct understanding of the complex political and psychological mechanisms of the strategy and tactics of regional election campaigns. The identified individual and personal indicators of the influence of the electoral characteristics of candidates on the voting of various categories of voters were developed and tested at the regional level. A number of practical recommendations on the organization of election campaigns, designed to take into account the psychological specifics of the behavior of the electorate in the framework of regional elections (elections with weak content), are empirically proved. It is intended for managers and specialists of regional election commissions, political scientists and psychologists who study issues related to the patterns of electoral behavior, graduate students and undergraduates engaged in research in the field of political psychology, as well as political strategists who ensure the effectiveness of election campaigns.