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- Influencing factors of presenteeism among Portuguese workers in a private social solidarity institution in the aftermath of COVID-19Publication . Laranjeira, C.; Maurício, A. C.Introduction: In ordinary circumstances, the employed individuals demonstrate significant levels of psychological distress and presenteeism, a situation that has been further intensified by the COVID-19 epidemic. Furthermore, a limited number of studies have examined the phenomenon of presenteeism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore necessitating the undertaking of the present study. Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate the levels of presenteeism and its related characteristics, as well as job satisfaction and psychological distress, among a sample of employees employed at a Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) in Portugal. Methods A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2022 to observe personnel from an IPSS located in the central area of Portugal. The research had a sample size of 71 workers who were provided with a signed authorization. The survey was designed to gather both general and professional information from participants. Additionally, it included the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6), the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (S20/23), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) as measurement tools. Results The occurrence of presenteeism was seen in 32 employees, accounting for 45.1% of the sample, whereas illness absence was reported by 38 workers, representing 54.3% of the sample. The majority of the individual assessments for S20/23 demonstrated a higher degree of satisfaction (mean ≥ 4.5 points.), with the exception of the salary-related issue, which elicited a higher level of discontent (mean = 3.36 ± 1.9 pts.). Approximately 50.7% of the individuals had a high or very high susceptibility to experiencing or developing a mental condition. The correlation matrix revealed a statistically significant moderate positive association between presenteeism and work satisfaction, as well as a statistically significant moderate negative link between presenteeism and psychological distress (p<0.01). The associated factors of presenteeism were found to be marital status, quality of sleep, illness absenteeism, health perception, and psychological distress. The combined effect of these predictors was shown to account for 35.8% of the variance in presenteeism. Conclusions It is expected that the outcomes of our research will stimulate more investigations into the tangible implications of presenteeism in promoting improved health and well-being within the workplace.
- 3D printed poly(E-caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: A comparative study on a Composite Preparation by Melt blending or solvent casting techniques and the influence of bioceramic content on scaffold propertiesPublication . Biscaia, Sara; Branquinho, Mariana V.; Alvites, Rui D.; Fonseca, Rita; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Pedrosa, Sílvia Santos; Caseiro, Ana R.; Guedes, Fernando; Patrício, Tatiana; Viana, Tânia; Mateus, Artur; Maurício, Ana C.; Alves, NunoBone tissue engineering has been developed in the past decades, with the engineering of bone substitutes on the vanguard of this regenerative approach. Polycaprolactone-based scaffolds are fairly applied for bone regeneration, and several composites have been incorporated so as to improve the scaffolds’ mechanical properties and tissue in-growth. In this study, hydroxyapatite is incorporated on polycaprolactone-based scaffolds at two different proportions, 80:20 and 60:40. Scaffolds are produced with two different blending methods, solvent casting and melt blending. The prepared composites are 3D printed through an extrusion-based technique and further investigated with regard to their chemical, thermal, morphological, and mechanical characteristics. In vitro cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation was also assessed with human dental pulp stem/stromal cells. The results show the melt-blending-derived scaffolds to present more promising mechanical properties, along with the incorporation of hydroxyapatite. The latter is also related to an increase in osteogenic activity and promotion. Overall, this study suggests polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds to be promising candidates for bone tissue engineering, particularly when produced by the MB method.