Exploring the prevalence, impact and experience of cardiac cachexia in patients with advanced heart failure and their caregivers: A sequential phased study.

Background: Cardiac Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that has a significant impact on patient mortality and quality of life world-wide, although it is poorly understood in clinical practice.

Aim: Identify the prevalence of cardiac cachexia in patients with advanced New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and explore its impact on patients and caregivers.

Design: An exploratory cross-sectional study.

The varied role, scope of practice, and education of cardiovascular nurses in ESC-affiliated countries: an ACNAP survey.

Aims: Cardiovascular disease burden is increasing globally, pressuring nursing staff to deliver high-quality care across a diverse range of treatment areas. As such, an evaluation of the educational preparation of nurses is needed. To determine the current role, scope of practice, education level, and needs of cardiovascular nurses working across the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)-affiliated countries.

Care plans for the older heart failure patient.

Heart failure (HF) professionals are managing an older population with multiple, often interconnected comorbidities. The average age of the HF patient has increased substantially and many have a number of comorbidities. For the older HF patient, diligent planning of care has the potential to reduce hospitalization, improve quality of life and mortality; nevertheless, this vital component is often overlooked.

An exploration of the prevalence and experience of cardiac cachexia: protocol for a mixed methods cross-sectional study.

Background: Cachexia is a complex and multifactorial syndrome defined as severe weight loss and muscle wasting which frequently goes unrecognised in clinical practice [1]. It is a debilitating syndrome, resulting in patients experiencing decreased quality of life and an increased risk of premature death; with cancer cachexia alone resulting in 2 million deaths per annum [2]. Most work in this field has focused on cancer cachexia, with cardiac cachexia being relatively understudied - despite its potential prevalence and impact in patients who have advanced heart failure.

Secondary prevention and cardiovascular care across Europe: A survey of European Society of Cardiology members' views.

Introduction: Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a significant clinical challenge and despite European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines, evidence confirms sub-optimal patient care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate ESC members' opinions on the current provision of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation services across Europe and explore barriers to guideline implementation.

Method: Electronic surveys using a secure web link were sent to members of the ESC in eight purposively selected ESC affiliated countries.

Correction: Screening for osteogenic activity in extracts from Irish marine organisms: The potential of Ceramium pallidum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Screening for osteogenic activity in extracts from Irish marine organisms: The potential of Ceramium pallidum.

Extracts and compounds derived from marine organisms have reportedly shown some osteogenic potential. As such, these bioactives may aid in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoporosis; helping to address inefficacies with current treatment options. In this study, 72 fractions were tested for their in vitro osteogenic activity using a human foetal osteoblast (hFOB) cell line and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), focusing on their cytotoxic, proliferative and differentiation effects.

Bioactive Compounds from Marine Organisms: Potential for Bone Growth and Healing.

Marine organisms represent a highly diverse reserve of bioactives which could aid in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including various musculoskeletal conditions. Osteoporosis in particular would benefit from a novel and effective marine-based treatment, due to its large disease burden and the inefficiencies of current treatment options. Osteogenic bioactives have been isolated from many marine organisms, including nacre powder derived from molluscan shells and fucoidan-the sulphated polysaccharide commonly sourced from brown macroalgae.

Red algal extracts from Plocamium lyngbyanum and Ceramium secundatum stimulate osteogenic activities in vitro and bone growth in zebrafish larvae.

Through the current trend for bioprospecting, marine organisms - particularly algae - are becoming increasingly known for their osteogenic potential. Such organisms may provide novel treatment options for osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal conditions, helping to address their large healthcare burden and the limitations of current therapies. In this study, extracts from two red algae - Plocamium lyngbyanum and Ceramium secundatum - were tested in vitro and in vivo for their osteogenic potential.