Background: Multiple myeloma, a malignancy of plasma cells, often involves the disruption of vitamin D metabolism. Vitamin D, acting through its receptor (VDR), affects transcription factors like FOXO and sirtuins, which regulate cellular processes. The impact of physical activity on these markers in multiple myeloma patients is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week training program on these parameters. Material and methods: The study was completed by 30 patients, including 16 in the Nordic walking training group (TG) and 14 in the control group (non-exercising, CG). All participants underwent a thorough medical interview before starting the project. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants four times—at baseline, after 3 weeks, after 6 weeks, and after 9 weeks (follow-up). The serum concentrations of sirtuin 1, sirtuin 3, Foxo3a, vitamin D receptor (VDR), 25(OH)D3, and 1,25(OH)2D were determined. Body composition, physical fitness, and physical activity level were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Results: No statistically significant changes were observed in the serum levels of sirtuins, the FOXO3a protein, and 1,25(OH)2D. A statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of VDR for both time and group factors, but this was not confirmed in the post hoc test. Vitamin 25(OH)D3 level increased significantly in the study group with time. Conclusions: The applied 6-week Nordic walking training cycle positively affected the level of vitamin 25(OH)D3 but did not influence the rest of the biochemical parameters studied. The obtained results also indicate that the applied intervention is safe for patients and does not interfere with body composition.

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of environmental stressors and physical exertion on human nociceptive processing across multiple ecologically relevant conditions. Using a repeated-measures design, participants (N = 45) completed up to five controlled laboratory (thermoclimatic chamber) sessions (baseline, simulated altitude at 4200 m asl, heat at +42 °C, cold at −10 °C, and exertion). Participants were tested by using electrical stimuli. Linear mixed-effects models with participant-level random intercepts, alongside estimated marginal means and bootstrap derived effect sizes, enabled robust characterization of within-subject differences. Thermal stress emerged as the strongest modulator of nociception. Heat exposure significantly elevated sensory and pain thresholds compared with all other conditions, whereas tolerance thresholds peaked during cold exposure, yielding the largest observed effects. Altitude consistently produced the lowest thresholds across all modalities. These contrasts were confirmed statistically in the mixed-effects models, and effect-size analyses indicated substantial within-subject differences between the thermal extremes. By integrating three distinct nociceptive modalities and extreme environment simulations, this work offers novel and informative insights into how environmental stressors shape pain processing. The discovery of opposing thermal effects on sensory/pain versus tolerance thresholds—within the same cohort and design—reveals modality-specific patterns not previously documented and suggests that hypoxia may further modulate these responses.

Objectives: The study aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of tattoos on the structural and functional properties of the skin in healthy women. Methods: The investigation included 22 female participants aged 19–41 years, covering a total of 88 tattoos. Various diagnostic tools were employed: a Tewameter TM300 to evaluate transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a Corneometer and Cutometer to measure skin hydration, elasticity, and firmness, and high-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) to assess epidermal thickness and skin echogenicity. The results showed that the presence of tattoos did not significantly influence TEWL values. Although regional differences in TEWL were observed in non-tattooed skin, tattooed skin showed no such variability, suggesting a consistent barrier function regardless of tattoo location. Corneometric and cutometric assessments revealed no significant differences in hydration, elasticity, or firmness between tattooed and non-tattooed skin. These parameters were also not influenced by tattoo age, although a physiological decline in mechanical skin properties was observed with increasing participant age. HFUS indicated a significantly thinner epidermis in tattooed areas compared to their non-tattooed counterparts. Additionally, tattooed skin demonstrated a higher percentage of low-echogenicity pixels in the lower dermis, suggesting localized structural changes. However, neither the age of the tattoo nor the age of the participant significantly affected the ultrasound parameters. Conclusions: Tattoos did not impair key skin functions such as hydration, elasticity, or barrier integrity, but were associated with structural changes observable via high-frequency ultrasonography.