Vol 32, No 10 (2025)
- Year: 2025
- Published: 27.11.2025
- Articles: 6
- URL: https://hum-ecol.ru/1728-0869/issue/view/12992
Full Issue
ORIGINAL STUDY ARTICLES
Experimental modeling of pediatric intestinal dysbiosis using an artificial gastrointestinal tract bioreactor system
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traditional microbial culture methods cannot replicate the complex intermicrobial interactions characteristic of the intestinal microbiota in vivo. Therefore, the development and use of modern bioreactor systems for experimental modeling of pediatric intestinal dysbiosis are relevant, as they ensure standardized experimental conditions and reproducibility of results without ethical limitations.
AIM: The study aimed to develop and validate a method for experimental modeling of pediatric intestinal dysbiosis using an artificial gastrointestinal tract bioreactor system to study the pathogenic mechanisms of microbiota imbalance and assess the efficacy of corrective interventions.
METHODS: The study was performed using an automated gastrointestinal tract modeling system consisting of three reactors (stomach, duodenum, colon) with controlled temperature, pH, and anaerobic conditions. A stool sample from a six-year-old donor was used. The observation period was 35 days following fecal suspension inoculation into the reactors. Validation criteria included the correspondence between the microbial profile of the artificial microbiota and the clinical profile of the initial sample, and stability of the microbial consortium by key taxa. Evaluation methods included bacteriological culture on selective media and quantitative polymerase chain reaction using the Kolonoflor-16 panel. A coefficient of variation ≤20% for major bacterial populations was established as the stability criterion.
RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction and bacteriological testing of the initial stool sample revealed a critical deficiency of obligate microbiota (reduced lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) and excessive growth of opportunistic microorganisms, consistent with grade III dysbiosis. The developed bioreactor model successfully reproduced dysbiotic alterations. The total bacterial mass in the colon reactor was 13.21 ± 0.20 log DNA copies/mL on day 8 and 13.38 ± 0.09 log DNA copies/mL on day 35 with baseline 13.30 log DNA copies/mL. The model reproduced the key characteristics of pediatric dysbiosis, including obligate microbiota deficiency (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp.) and overgrowth of opportunistic microorganisms (E. coli, C. perfringens, Enterobacter spp., etc.). Stability analysis demonstrated coefficients of variation <20% for all key bacterial populations starting from week 2 of cultivation. The model ensured stable reproduction of grade III intestinal dysbiosis throughout the 35-day observation period.
CONCLUSION: A method for experimental modeling of pediatric intestinal dysbiosis using an artificial gastrointestinal tract system has been successfully developed and validated. This model provides new opportunities for in-depth study of pathogenetic mechanisms of microbiota disturbances in childhood, as well as for screening and evaluating the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and other corrective interventions under conditions approximating physiological ones.
694-704
Activity of lipid peroxidation processes and metal lipid peroxidation and serum metal levels in adolescents in regions with various degrees of man-induced load
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxidation is a universal mechanism of biological membrane damage. The resulting malondialdehyde levels are a non-specific marker of the body's adaptive capabilities. A strong correlation between the levels of some metals and the oxidant/antioxidant balance may provide biological markers of quality of life in urban ecosystems with high man-induced load (industrial cities) versus regions with low man-induced load (rural areas).
AIM: The work aimed to assess the potential association between the urbanized environment status, lipid peroxidation levels, and serum metal levels in adolescents. This association is essential for creating a unified systems of adaptive capability markers in regions with different levels of exposure.
METHODS: The levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb) were assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy in the serum of 48 adolescents residing in urban and rural areas. The height, body weight, and body surface area were measured. Serum malondialdehyde levels were assessed in apparently healthy adolescents using the thiobarbituric acid reaction. The significance of intergroup differences in malondialdehyde and metal levels was assessed, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. The significance of individual parameters was assessed using multiple regression discriminant analysis.
RESULTS: There were no significant changes in Sr levels associated with the levels of malondialdehyde or other metals. Cu levels showed significant correlations with the levels of malondialdehyde and other metals. Changes in Cu levels, though less pronounced, were consistent with changes in Fe levels. A multiple regression model found that Cu levels, together with Zn levels and body surface area, were the most significant parameters. The discriminant analysis found that Pb levels are determined by the urban ecosystem characteristics, and lipid peroxidation activity in children may vary considerably depending on the urbanized environment status and increases significantly in urban areas.
CONCLUSION: An association has been found between the degree of man-induced load, lipid peroxidation activity, and serum metal levels in children, which enables assessing the body's adaptive capabilities. Furthermore, an association has been discovered between serum malondialdehyde levels and serum zinc, iron, and copper levels. Serum malondialdehyde levels are higher in children residing in urban areas with high man-induced load. Metal–malondialdehyde associations can be used to assess the body's adaptive capabilities.
705-713
Atmospheric pollution in Cherepovets according to remote sensing
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Satellite monitoring of air pollutant levels is currently widely used alongside conventional methods for assessing atmospheric pollution. Satellite technologies provide information on atmospheric pollutant levels for various geographic coordinate ranges; however, their applicability, notably for assessing air quality in residential areas, is disputed.
AIM: The work aimed to assess atmospheric pollution in Cherepovets by comparing Sentinel-5P satellite data with Earth-based monitoring data.
METHODS: The study assessed geospatial data on atmospheric air quality in Cherepovets. Sentinel-5P satellite data provided by the European Space Agency under the Copernicus program were analyzed using Google Earth Engine-based software. Satellite monitoring data were compared with those from the Severstal open service for atmospheric air quality monitoring in Cherepovets.
RESULTS: Software for analyzing satellite monitoring data on atmospheric air quality in Cherepovets was developed using Google Earth Engine and JavaScript. Digital maps of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide atmospheric pollution were created. Satellite monitoring data were compared with Severstal's Earth-based monitoring data.
CONCLUSION: Software for creating digital maps of atmospheric pollution by criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) has been developed. The differences between satellite and Earth-based monitoring data on atmospheric pollution in Cherepovets were analyzed.
714-722
Association between multiple chemical sensitivity and toxic load symptom severity
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental factors, including low concentrations of chemical substances, is associated with the development of multiple chemical sensitivity and symptoms of toxic load, representing an important public health issue.
AIM: This study aimed to examine and quantitatively assess the association between the level of multiple chemical sensitivity measured using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) and the severity of toxic load symptoms assessed by the Medical Symptom/Toxicity Questionnaire (MSQ) among residents of the Krasnodar Territory.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 50 users of the EcoMedik web platform who completed the QEESI and MSQ questionnaires. The mean age of participants was 42.3 ± 10.5 years; 68% were women. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis.
RESULTS: The mean total QEESI score was 102.06 ± 35.29 and the mean MSQ score was 80.06 ± 24.28. A significant positive correlation was found between total QEESI and MSQ scores (r = 0.649, p < 0.001). The MSQ “other symptoms” category showed moderate correlation with the total QEESI score (r = 0.283, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSION: The findings confirm an association between multiple chemical sensitivity and toxic load, highlighting the value of QEESI and MSQ as screening tools that can be used in developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in environmental medicine.
723-734
Association between subjective credulity assessment and judging deception in older adults
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The work is relevant, given the increasing proportion of older adults worldwide, as well as the growing rates of crimes against older people, notably phone fraud.
AIM: The work aimed to assess the association between subjective credulity assessment and judging deception in older adults.
METHODS: The study was conducted at the Russian Research and Clinical Center for Gerontology. It included three stages: assessing the actual ability to detect deception; subjective credulity assessment; and assessing the association between judging deception and subjective credulity. The study included 60 older participants (60–75 years, n = 36; 76–90 years, n = 24). Inclusion criteria were as follows: preserved neurocognitive function; absence of severe chronic medical conditions and mental disorders; preserved analytical capability; and no history of cerebrovascular accidents. The following assessment tools were used: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Pragmatic Interpretation Short Stories Winner’s Task (modified by Kolesova and Sergienko); Dembo–Rubinstein test; and UCLA Loneliness Scale (by Russell, Peplau, and Ferguson). Descriptive, comparative, correlation, and multivariate statistics were used for quantitative assessment.
RESULTS: No significant relationships were found when examining the association between subjective credulity assessment and judging deception in older adults. However, following factorization, approximately 40% of participants were found to misjudge their ability to detect deception, irrespective of the actual accuracy of deception judgments.
CONCLUSION: The two groups of older adults (60–75 years and 76–90 years) showed comparable ability to detect deception. Low ability to detect deception in these age groups is related to increased credulity and low subjective assessment of own mental capacity.
745-755
Effect of alpha-frequency optical stimulation on sensorimotor parameters in humans
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Temporal sensorimotor parameters are determined by individual characteristics and may be influenced by various types of exogenous stimulation, including optical stimulation. The multidirectional effects of optical stimulation on performance are associated with baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters. Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency has the most significant effect on endogenous rhythmicity. Frequencies that are several hertz higher or lower can result in flicker response and affect performance by altering neural oscillation frequencies.
AIM: The work aimed to assess individual differences in the effect of optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency and a 2 Hz higher frequency on complex sensorimotor response parameters in humans.
METHODS: In this study, 65 participants (males aged 18–23 years, right-handed) performed tests for simple motor reaction (under normal conditions) and complex motor reaction (under three experimental scenarios). The latter included normal conditions, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency, and optical stimulation with a frequency 2 Hz higher than individual alpha peak frequency. The mean reaction time and its variability were assessed. Under normal conditions, the decision-making time was assessed by the difference between the simple and complex reaction times. Two groups of participants, with short (group 1, n = 16) and long (group 2, n = 16) decision-making times, were identified. The frequency and amplitude of an individual alpha peak were calculated using baseline occipitoparietal EEGs recorded with eyes closed.
RESULTS: Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz reduced the complex motor reaction time in all participants. In participants with short decision-making time and high alpha peak amplitude, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency increased the complex motor reaction time, whereas optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz had no significant impact on the reaction time. In participants with long decision-making time and low alpha peak amplitude, optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency had no significant impact on the complex reaction time, whereas optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz decreased complex reaction time and variability.
CONCLUSION: Optical stimulation with individual alpha peak frequency +2 Hz reduced the complex motor reaction time in individuals with specific electrophysiological EEG characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to consider baseline EEG parameters during alpha-frequency optical stimulation, particularly the individual alpha peak amplitude, which is associated with the strength and direction of the stimulation effect. The findings indicate that the two examined modes of alpha-frequency optical stimulation have distinct effects on temporal sensorimotor parameters.
735-744
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