Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in disturbances of glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in occupational groups with limited sunlight exposure. This study aimed to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and markers of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in salt mine workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 62 male salt miners (aged 25-63 years), stratified by work depth (surface, ≤750 m, and >750 m). Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and biochemical parameters were assessed. Blood analyses included fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, TSH, and 25(OH)D. Insulin resistance was evaluated via the HOMA-IR index. Results: The cohort exhibited a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (mean BMI > 28 kg/m2). Significant differences in VO2max were observed between groups (p < 0.05). Elevated fasting glucose (>100 mg/dL) was observed in 47% of participants, and 22% presented HOMA-IR values > 2.5. In the regression model, vitamin D supplementation was the strongest predictor of 25(OH)D levels, explaining 25.5% of its variance. The addition of HDL cholesterol increased the explained variance to 35.6%, whereas HOMA-IR contributed an additional 3.9% (p = 0.094). Conclusions: In salt miners, insufficient vitamin D status coexists with excess adiposity and impaired glucose homeostasis. Serum 25(OH)D was more strongly associated with supplementation and HDL-C than with HOMA-IR. These findings suggest that monitoring vitamin D status is relevant in the occupational health evaluation of this group.
Haematopota pluvialis is a widely distributed hematophagic insect occurring across Eurasia. This horse fly may be a highly efficient mechanical vector of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Furthermore, its painful bites can cause local skin lesions and systemic symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine human exposure to H. pluvialis attacks in various types of open space habitats in Eastern Poland and to perform molecular screening of these tabanids for the presence of hematopathogens: Bartonella spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Specimens of H. pluvialis were collected at three distinct sites in Eastern Poland. The presence of Bartonella spp. and A. phagocytophilum was investigated using PCR-based methods. In total, 141 H. pluvialis females were analyzed. The molecular analysis of the rpoB gene fragment yielded one new haplotype of Bartonella sp. in 0.7% (1) of all studied samples, which may hypothetically exhibit zoonotic potential. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was not detected in the studied material. Moreover, a high level of human and animals exposure to horse fly bites was noted in the studied areas of Eastern Poland. The present results highlight the need for further targeted research on H. pluvialis to quantify pathogen prevalence, transmission efficiencies, and conditions facilitating pathogen transmission in natural settings.
IntroductionHealth behaviors and life satisfaction are important health-related outcomes in professional voice users, yet evidence among classically trained singers remains limited. This online cross-sectional study assessed health behaviors and life satisfaction among Polish classically trained singers and examined their associations with selected sociodemographic and occupational factors.MethodsData were collected from May to July 2024 among 241 adult Polish classically trained singers, including professional singers and vocal students (151 women and 90 men; age range, 20–73 years). Health behaviors were assessed using the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), and life satisfaction was assessed using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Group differences were examined using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, associations using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and multivariable linear regression models were fitted for the SWLS and total HBI scores with adjustment for age, sex, and type of vocal work. The Holm procedure was applied to account for multiple comparisons.ResultsAn average level of health behaviors was most common (42.7%), followed by low (32.4%) and high (24.9%) levels, and 55.2% of participants were classified in one of the satisfied-with-life categories. Life satisfaction was positively associated with the total HBI score (ρ = 0.508, 95% CI: 0.406–0.599; Holm-adjusted p < 0.001) and all four HBI domains (all adjusted p < 0.001), with the strongest association observed for positive mental attitude (ρ = 0.528, 95% CI: 0.429–0.616). After correction for multiple comparisons, women had higher scores than men for proper eating habits, health practices, and the total HBI score. In the multivariable analysis, sex was associated with the total HBI score, with women scoring 6.26 points higher than men after adjustment for age and type of vocal work (B = 6.257, 95% CI: 3.270–9.245; p < 0.001). No statistically significant adjusted associations with SWLS were observed for age, sex, or type of vocal work.DiscussionHealth behaviors were positively associated with life satisfaction in this sample of Polish classically trained singers. The findings provide baseline evidence on health behaviors and life satisfaction in this specific performing-arts population and may inform further health-promotion research; however, the cross-sectional design precludes conclusions regarding temporal or causal relationships.
Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common musculoskeletal conditions in adults. The repetitive neuromusculoskeletal demands of operatic singing, together with suboptimal technique, intensive training, and psychological strain, may be associated with TMD-related symptoms. Knowledge of TMD and awareness of warning signs may support appropriate health-seeking behaviours. This study aimed to assess self-reported TMD-related symptoms and selected aspects of TMD-related knowledge among Polish opera singers. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 among 241 adult Polish classically trained singers, including professional opera singers and vocal students (90 men and 151 women; age range, 20-73 years). Data were collected using an author-developed questionnaire and the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), a self-report screening instrument for TMD-related symptoms and symptom severity. Results: FAI scores were within the lowest symptom category in 21.6% of participants, within the mild category in 50.6%, within the moderate category in 24.5%, and within the severe category in 3.3%. Overall, 87.1% rated their TMD-related knowledge as poor or sufficient, although 89.6% recognised that TMD may adversely affect vocal technique. Conclusions: Self-reported TMD-related symptoms were frequently observed in this study sample, and responses to individual questionnaire items indicated gaps in selected areas of TMD-related knowledge. A self-reported previous diagnosis of TMD was associated with greater FAI-assessed symptom severity, whereas self-assessed TMD knowledge was not. These findings may support further evaluation of targeted education and access to appropriate clinical assessment for classically trained singers.
The aim of the study was to determine the structure of helminth communities of White Stork in north-eastern Poland in the years 2015–2018. The study material comprised 61 White Storks Ciconia ciconia from within the borders of Biebrza National Park. Seven parasite taxa were detected in the storks. The cestode Dictymetra riccii, the nematode Dispharynx cf. nasuta, and acanthocephalans are new parasites for storks in Poland. Prevalence of helminths was 32.8%, with a mean intensity of 12.2, in a range from 1 to 60 and with mean abundance of 3.8. The biodiversity of the component community expressed by Simpson’s diversity index was 0.639, and dominance expressed by the Berger–Parker index was 0.485. The dominant species in the component community was the cestode Dictymetra discoidea. The average biodiversity of infracommunities, expressed by Brillouin’s diversity index, was 0.07 ± 0.13. The greatest species richness of helminths in storks was recorded in July (five species). The greatest intensity of infection was noted in the case of infection with Tylodelphys excavata in June. The prevalence of the cestode Dictymetra discoidea in adult storks (35.5%) was significantly higher than in juvenile storks (4.17%) (chi2 = 7.78, p = 0.005).
