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VNTR-polymorphism of the gene of dopamine transporter (DAT) in men of the Russian and Tatar nationalities with acute alcoholic psychoses was analyzed by method of the polymerase chain reaction. There were no differences in the distribution of frequencies of genotypes and alleles of DAT gene between the populations examined. There was association between an allele variant with 9 units of DAT gene repetition (in homozygous state first of all), and early development of alcoholic dependence and acute alcoholic psychosis.

Progress is reviewed of spaceflight research conducted with plants between 1987 and 1992. Numerous plant experiments have been performed on spacecraft and sounding rockets in the past five years by scientists of the US, the former Soviet Union, Europe, and other areas. The experiments are categorized into three areas: gravity sensing, transduction, and response; development and reproduction; and metabolism, photosynthesis, and transport. The results of these experiments continue to demonstrate that gravity and/or other factors of spaceflight affect plants at the organismal, cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels, resulting in changes in orientation, development, metabolism, and growth. The challenge now is to truly dissect the effects of gravity from those of other spaceflight factors and to identify the basic mechanisms underlying gravity's effects.