The lack of knowledge on acute stroke in Brazil: A cross-sectional study with children, adolescents, and adults from public schools

Abstract Objective: Stroke is an important cause of disability and death in adults worldwide. However, it is preventable in most cases and treatable as long as patients recognize it and reach capable medical facilities in time. This community-based study investigated students' stroke knowledge, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) activation, associated risk factors, warning signs and symptoms, and prior experience from different educational levels in the KIDS SAVE LIVES BRAZIL project. Methods: The authors conducted the survey with a structured questionnaire in 2019‒2020. Results: Students from the elementary-school (n = 1187, ~13 y.o., prior experience: 14%, 51% women), high-school (n = 806, ~17 y.o., prior experience: 13%, 47% women) and University (n = 1961, ~22 y.o., prior experience: 9%, 66% women) completed the survey. Among the students, the awareness of stroke general knowledge, associated risk factors, and warning signs and symptoms varied between 42%‒66%. When stimulated, less than 52% of the students associated stroke with hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. When stimulated, 62%‒65% of students recognized arm weakness, facial drooping, and speech difficulty; only fewer identified acute headache (43%). Interestingly, 67% knew the EMS number; 81% wanted to have stroke education at school, and ~75% wanted it mandatory. Women, higher education, and prior experience were associated with higher scores of knowing risk factors (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10‒1.48; OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.87‒2.40; OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.16‒1.83; respectively), and warning signs- symptoms (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.89‒2.60; OR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.81‒3.87; OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.58‒2.63; respectively). Conclusion: Having higher education, prior experience, and being a woman increases stroke-associated risk factors, and warning signs and symptoms identification. Schoolchildren and adolescents should be the main target population for stroke awareness. HIGHLIGHTS Higher education, prior experience, and being women improved the odds of identifying stroke warning signs and symptoms as associated risk factors Improving knowledge, skills, and attitude on acute stroke in the school community may represent a significant advance in public health management Future stroke awareness campaigns and educational efforts should focus on schoolchildren and adolescents, especially in low-income countries

In vivo observation of mesenteric leukocyte-endothelial interactions after cecal ligation/puncture and surgical sepsis source control

PURPOSE: Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) has been used as a useful model for the induction of polymicrobial sepsis. Necrotic tissue resection and peritoneal lavage (REL) are the surgical procedures for controlling perforated appendicitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the rat mesentery in vivo after CLP and REL. METHODS: Thirty-seven male Wistar rats (250-300 g) underwent laparotomy and were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) SHAM; 2) CLP: animals submitted to CLP, 3) CLP+REL: animals submitted to CLP and REL. Mesenteric leukocyte-endothelial interactions were studied by intravital microscopy assessed once in each animal (3-5 postcapillary venules, 15-25 æm diameter) 24 hours after intervention. Follow-up was performed in all animals; this included analysis of glycemia, lactate, hematocrit, white blood cell count as well as a functional score that was the sum of scoring on the following parameters: alertness, mobility, piloerection, diarrhea, encrusted eyes, and dirty nose and tail. RESULTS: None of the animals showed significant changes in body weight (265 ± 20 g) or in hematocrit levels (46 percent ± 2 percent) during the experimental protocol. Compared to SHAM animals, CLP animals showed an increased number of rolling (2x), adherent, and migrating leukocytes (7x) in the mesenteric microcirculation, an increase in blood glucose (136 ± 8 mg/dL), lactate (3.58 ± 0.94 mmol/L), white cell count (23,570 ± 4,991 cells/mm³) and functional alterations (score 11 ± 1), characterized by impaired alertness and mobility, and presence of piloerection, diarrhea, encrusted eyes, and dirty nose and tail. The REL procedure normalized the number of rolling, adherent, and migrated leukocytes in the mesentery; glycemia; lactate; and white blood cell count. The REL procedure also improved the functional score (7 ± 1). CONCLUSION: Local and systemic inflammation was induced by CLP, while REL completely...

OBJETIVO: O procedimento de ligadura cecal e perfuração (CLP) tem sido usado como um modelo útil de indução de sepse polimicrobiana. A ressecção do tecido necrosado e lavagem peritoneal (REL) são procedimentos cirúrgicos freqüentemente utilizados para controlar uma apendicite perfurada. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar in vivo as interações leucócito-endotélio no mesentério de ratos após a CLP e REL. MÉTODOS: Trinta e sete ratos Wistar machos (250-300 g) foram submetidos à laparotomia e aleatoriamente divididos em grupos: 1) SHAM, 2) CLP: ratos submetidos à CLP, 3) CLP+REL: animais submetidos à CLP e REL. As interações leucócito-endotélio no mesentério foram estudadas através de microscopia intravital somente uma vez em cada animal (3-5 vênulas pós-capilares, 15-25 æm diâmetro), 24-horas após as intervenções. A evolução clínica foi realizada em todos os animais, incluindo glicemia, lactato, hematócrito, número total de células brancas e um escore funcional, o qual foi considerado como a somatória dos seguintes parâmetros: estado de alerta, mobilidade, piloereção, diarréia, olhos encrustados, e nariz e cauda sujos. RESULTADOS: Os animais não apresentaram alterações significantes no peso (265 ± 20 g) e hematócrito (46 ± 2 por cento) ao longo do estudo. Comparados ao SHAM, os animais CLP apresentaram aumento no número de leucócitos em rolamento (2x), aderidos (7x) e migrados (7x) na microcirculação mesentérica, aumentos da glicemia (136 ± 8 mg/dL), lactato (3,58 ± 0,94 mmol/L), leucocitose (23.570 ± 4.991 células/mm³) e alterações clínicas (escore 11±1), caracterizadas por comprometimento do estado de alerta e mobilidade, e presença de piloereção, diarréia, olhos encrustados, nariz e cauda sujos. REL normalizou o número de leucócitos em rolamento, aderidos e migrados no mesentério, a glicemia, o lactato e o número de leucócitos circulantes. REL também melhorou o escore clínico (7 ± 1). CONCLUSÃO: A CLP induziu inflamação local e sistêmica. A...