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.
Abstract Background Participatory approaches increasingly emphasise multi-actor co-creation of health-promoting environments, yet less is known about how priorities for action are identified within complex systems in socio-economically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods. Aim To identify key determinants and leverage points for children’s outdoor play and co-create context-relevant interventions in disadvantaged urban settings. Materials and methods During the co-creation phase (2025–2026), 18 sessions with children, 6 with adults and 1 joint session were conducted with 29 children (7–12 years) and 10 stakeholders in a socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhood (Praga Północ, Warsaw). Participatory and systems thinking methods were applied, including storytelling, photovoice and cognitive mapping. Separate causal loop diagrams and system maps were developed for children and adults and then integrated into a shared system map using Vensim to identify leverage points. Results System maps revealed complementary perspectives of children (experience, comfort and attractiveness) and adults (organisation, safety and governance), while identifying shared domains such as social relationships, time, accessibility, attractiveness and safety. Seven leverage points were prioritised and interventions were proposed, including improving access to school playgrounds after hours, enhancing safety, developing infrastructure (e.g. water fountains), creating information systems on local activities, and increasing the attractiveness and social use of outdoor spaces. Conclusions Integrating children’s lived experiences with adult system perspectives supports the identification of feasible and context-sensitive interventions in socio-economically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, where complex and interrelated barriers require multi-level solutions. Key messages • Co-creating with children and adults revealed key barriers and leverage points for outdoor play, combining lived experience with system perspectives in disadvantaged urban settings. • Context-sensitive solutions like safer spaces, better access, or attractive infrastructure can boost children’s outdoor play through multi-level, co-created interventions,
Purpose: This study examined whether adding an all-out start (AO) to a self-paced strategy increased average power outputas a measure of performance in a fixed-duration 4-min kayak ergometer trial simulating a 1000-m kayak race under the newOlympic canoe sprint schedule, and whether this pacing modification altered physiological responses.Methods: Nine national-level male kayakers completed three 4-min kayak-ergometer trials over two consecutive days: a selfpaced (SP) trial on day 1, and even-paced (EP) and AO trials on day 2 separated by 2 hours to simulate semifinal and final,respectively. In EP, athletes matched the average power output (PO) from SP; in AO, they performed a 15-s maximal effortfollowed by self-paced paddling. Mechanical and physiological variables, including PO, stroke rate, oxygen uptake, heart rate(HR), blood lactate, and acid-base parameters, were measured. Data were analyzed with frequentist and Bayesian repeatedmeasures ANOVA.Results: Compared with SP, AO produced higher average PO (194 ± 14 vs 185 ± 22 W; P = .027; BF₁₀ = 1.82) and peak HR(195 ± 4 vs 192 ± 3 beats/min; P = .045; BF₁₀ = 4.22), although the HR difference lay within typical day-to-day variability.The remaining physiological variables did not differ between strategies (all P > .35), with Bayes factors (BF₁₀ = 0.25–0.43)providing anecdotal to moderate evidence for the null model.Conclusions: A 15-s all-out start superimposed on a self-paced strategy may increase average power output during a fixedduration 4-min kayak ergometer trial under the Olympic regatta schedule without increasing physiological strain. Thisfinding supports its use a
Introduction: Health 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. Methods: Data 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. Results: An 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 (rho = 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 (rho = 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. Discussion: Health 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.
