Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani.

During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani. Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces, each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macromorphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae, suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses. Citation: Araújo JPM, Lebert BM, Vermeulen S, et al. 2022. Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean general, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani. Persoonia 49: 171-194. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.05.

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell.

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org).

Runs of homozygosity provide a genome landscape picture of inbreeding and genetic history of European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds.

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from 20 European local pig breeds and in three cosmopolitan breeds, genotyped with the GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler. plink software was used to identify ROHs. Size classes and genomic inbreeding parameters were evaluated. ROH islands were defined by evaluating different thresholds of homozygous SNP frequency. A functional overview of breed-specific ROH islands was obtained via over-representation analyses of GO biological processes. Mora Romagnola and Turopolje breeds had the largest proportions of genome covered with ROH (~1003 and ~955 Mb respectively), whereas Nero Siciliano and Sarda breeds had the lowest proportions (~207 and 247 Mb respectively). The highest proportion of long ROH (>16 Mb) was in Apulo-Calabrese, Mora Romagnola and Casertana. The largest number of ROH islands was identified in the Italian Landrace (n = 32), Cinta Senese (n = 26) and Lithuanian White Old Type (n = 22) breeds. Several ROH islands were in regions encompassing genes known to affect morphological traits. Comparative ROH structure analysis among breeds indicated the similar genetic structure of local breeds across Europe. This study contributed to understanding of the genetic history of the investigated pig breeds and provided information to manage these pig genetic resources.

Genome-wide detection of copy number variants in European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds by whole-genome sequencing of DNA pools identified breed-characterising copy number states.

In this study, we identified copy number variants (CNVs) in 19 European autochthonous pig breeds and in two commercial breeds (Italian Large White and Italian Duroc) that represent important genetic resources for this species. The genome of 725 pigs was sequenced using a breed-specific DNA pooling approach (30-35 animals per pool) obtaining an average depth per pool of 42×. This approach maximised CNV discovery as well as the related copy number states characterising, on average, the analysed breeds. By mining more than 17.5 billion reads, we identified a total of 9592 CNVs (~683 CNVs per breed) and 3710 CNV regions (CNVRs; 1.15% of the reference pig genome), with an average of 77 CNVRs per breed that were considered as private. A few CNVRs were analysed in more detail, together with other information derived from sequencing data. For example, the CNVR encompassing the KIT gene was associated with coat colour phenotypes in the analysed breeds, confirming the role of the multiple copies in determining breed-specific coat colours. The CNVR covering the MSRB3 gene was associated with ear size in most breeds. The CNVRs affecting the ELOVL6 and ZNF622 genes were private features observed in the Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle and in the Turopolje pig breeds respectively. Overall, the genome variability unravelled here can explain part of the genetic diversity among breeds and might contribute to explain their origin, history and adaptation to a variety of production systems.

Zombie-ant fungi across continents: 15 new species and new combinations within Ophiocordyceps. I. Myrmecophilous hirsutelloid species.

Ophiocordyceps species infecting ants - the so-called zombie-ant fungi - comprise one of the most intriguing and fascinating relationships between microbes and animals. They are widespread within tropical forests worldwide, with relatively few reports from temperate ecosystems. These pathogens possess the ability to manipulate host behaviour in order to increase their own fitness. Depending on the fungal species involved the infected ants are manipulated either to leave the nest to ascend understorey shrubs, to die biting onto vegetation, or descend from the canopy to die at the base of trees. Experimental evidence has demonstrated that the behavioural change aids spore dispersal and thus increases the chances of infection, because of the existing behavioural immunity expressed inside ant colonies that limits fungal development and transmission. Despite their undoubted importance for ecosystem functioning, these fungal pathogens are still poorly documented, especially regarding their diversity, ecology and evolutionary relationships. Here, we describe 15 new species of Ophiocordyceps with hirsutella-like asexual morphs that exclusively infect ants. These form a monophyletic group that we identified in this study as myrmecophilous hirsutelloid species. We also propose new combinations for species previously described as varieties and provide for the first time important morphological and ecological information. The species proposed herein were collected in Brazil, Colombia, USA, Australia and Japan. All species could readily be separated using classic taxonomic criteria, in particular ascospore and asexual morphology.

Effects of strength training with blood flow restriction on torque, muscle activation and local muscular endurance in healthy subjects.

The present study aimed to analyse the effects of six weeks of strength training (ST), with and without blood flow restriction (BFR), on torque, muscle activation, and local muscular endurance (LME) of the knee extensors. Thirty-seven healthy young individuals were divided into four groups: high intensity (HI), low intensity with BFR (LI+BFR), high intensity and low intensity + BFR (COMB), and low intensity (LI). Torque, muscle activation and LME were evaluated before the test and at the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks after exercise. All groups had increased torque, muscle activation and LME (p<0.05) after the intervention, but the effect size and magnitude were greater in the HI, LI+BFR and COMB groups. In conclusion, the groups with BFR (LI+BFR and COMB) produced magnitudes of muscle activation, torque and LME similar to those of the HI group.

Tuning the magnetic properties of multisegmented Ni/Cu electrodeposited nanowires with controllable Ni lengths.

The fabrication of segmented Ni/Cu nanowires (NWs), with tunable structural and magnetic properties, is reported. A potentiostatic electrodeposition method with a single electrolytic bath has been used to fabricate multisegmented Ni/Cu NWs inside a highly hexagonally ordered anodic nanoporous alumina membrane, with diameters of 50 nm and Ni segment lengths (L Ni) tuned from 10 nm up to 140 nm. The x-ray diffraction results evidenced a strong dependence of the Ni NWs crystallographic face-centered-cubic (fcc) texture along the [220] direction on the aspect ratio of the NWs. The magnetic behavior of the multisegmented Ni/Cu NW arrays, as a function of the magnetic field and temperature, is also studied and correlated with their structural and morphological properties. Micromagnetic simulations, together with the experimental results, showed a dominant antiferromagnetic coupling between Ni segments along the wire length for small low aspect-ratio magnetic segments. When increasing the Ni segments' length, the magnetic interactions between these along the wire became stronger, favouring a ferromagnetic coupling. The Curie temperature of the NWs was also found to strongly depend on the Ni magnetic segment length. Particularly the Curie temperature was found to be reduced 75 K for the 20 nm Ni segments, following the finite-size scaling relation with ξ 0 = 8.1 Å and γ = 0.48. These results emphasize the advantages of using a template assisted method to electrodeposit multilayer NWs, as it allows an easy tailor of the respective morphological, chemical, structural and magnetic properties.

Ordered La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanohole arrays fabricated on a nanoporous alumina template by pulsed laser ablation.

Highly ordered nanohole arrays of [Formula: see text] manganite have been synthesized using pulsed laser deposition on nanoporous alumina template. Their structure and phase formation were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The magnetic measurements were performed with respect to temperature and field and exhibit a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at 284 K. In addition, the temperature dependence of electrical resistance was measured at different magnetic fields and an insulating phase throughout all the temperatures was observed. The low temperature ferromagnetic insulating state is discussed by the presence of a canted ferromagnetic state induced by the nanoholes. The present work shows the feasibility of combining both the nanoporous alumina template and pulsed laser ablation for the fabrication of perovskite manganite nanohole arrays which can also be extended to fabricate other multicomponent oxide nanohole materials.

Hydrogen sensing via anomalous optical absorption of palladium-based metamaterials.

A palladium (Pd)-based optical metamaterial has been designed, fabricated and characterized for its application in hydrogen sensing. The metamaterial can replace Pd thin films in optical transmission schemes for sensing with performances far superior to those of conventional sensors. This artificial material consists of a palladium-alumina metamaterial fabricated using inexpensive and industrial-friendly bottom-up techniques. During the exposure to hydrogen, the system exhibits anomalous optical absorption when compared to the well-known response of Pd thin films, this phenomenon being the key factor for the sensor sensitivity. The exposure to hydrogen produces a large variation in the light transmission through the metamembrane (more than 30% with 4% in volume hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixture at room temperature and atmospheric pressure), thus avoiding the need for sophisticated optical detection systems. An optical homogenization model is proposed to explain the metamaterial response. These results contribute to the development of reliable and low-cost hydrogen sensors with potential applications in the hydrogen economy and industrial processes to name a few, and also open the door to optically study the hydrogen diffusion processes in Pd nanostructures.

Pain reduction and improvement of function following ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide and hyaluronic acid in hip osteoarthritis.

The scientific literature has shown positive results regarding intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritic joints. When injecting in the hip joint, the guidance of ultrasound can provide higher injection accuracy and repeatability. However, due to the methodological limitations in the current available literature, its recommendation in the current practice is still controversial. This study shows that ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide and hyaluronic acid can improve pain, function and quality of life in patients with symptomatic and radiographic hip osteoarthritis. In addition, the administration of triamcinolone hexacetonide and hyaluronic acid to the hip joint in these patients can delay the need for interventional surgery.

Tuning the Stoichiometry of Ag2S Thin Films for Resistive Switching Applications.

In this work silver-rich and sulfur-rich silver sulfide (Ag2S) thin films were fabricated using a diversified set of experimental methods, namely ion beam deposition and atmosphere- and solution-based sulfurizations. The composition of the Ag2S thin films was studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We found that it strongly depends on the fabrication conditions, such as sulfurization time and temperature. These conditions, in turn, affect the electrical characteristics of the thin films, namely the resistivity and resistive switching. We were able to control the Ag2S stoichiometry and infer its dependence on the fabrication parameters for all the followed methods.

Magnetic liposomes based on nickel ferrite nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

Nickel ferrite nanoparticles with superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature were synthesized using a coprecipitation method. These magnetic nanoparticles were either covered with a lipid bilayer, forming dry magnetic liposomes (DMLs), or entrapped in liposomes, originating aqueous magnetoliposomes (AMLs). A new and promising method for the synthesis of DMLs is described. The presence of the lipid bilayer in DMLs was confirmed by FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) measurements between the fluorescent-labeled lipids NBD-C12-HPC (NBD acting as a donor) included in the second lipid layer and rhodamine B-DOPE (acceptor) in the first lipid layer. An average donor-acceptor distance of 3 nm was estimated. Assays of the non-specific interactions of magnetoliposomes with biological membranes (modeled using giant unilamellar vesicles, GUVs) were performed. Membrane fusion between both aqueous and dry magnetoliposomes and GUVs was confirmed by FRET, which is an important result regarding applications of these systems both as hyperthermia agents and antitumor drug nanocarriers.

Tailoring the Ti surface via electropolishing nanopatterning as a route to obtain highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes.

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized by the electrochemical anodization of Ti foils subjected to electropolishing (EP) pre-treatment. We found that the Ti surface roughness plays an important role in the onset of pore nucleation in enhancing the local focusing effect of the electrical field. Additionally, EP induces the formation of dimple structures on the metal surface, which can work as a pre-pattern prior to anodization. These shallow ripples lead to a preferentially ordered pore nucleation, offering an organizational improvement of the anodic oxide NTs. We found that, depending on the EP applied potential, the roughness and the spatial period of the ripple-like structures varies from 8-2 nm and from 122-30 nm, respectively. Such tuning allowed us to focus on the influence of the initial Ti pre-surface topography features on the NTs' length, organization, and hexagonal arrangement quality, as well as diameter and density. Our results show that an EP under 10 V is the most suitable to obtain a small Ti surface roughness, the largest NT length (40% enhancement), and the effective improvement of the ordered hexagonal NTs' arrays over larger areas. Furthermore, the NTs' dimensions (pore diameters and density) were also found to depend on the initial Ti surface topography. The use of optimized EP allows us to obtain highly hexagonal self-ordered samples at a reduced time and cost.

The effect of coolants on the performance of magnetic micro-refrigerators.

Magnetic refrigeration is an alternative cooling technique with envisaged technological applications on micro- and opto-electronic devices. Here, we present a magnetic micro-refrigerator cooling device with embedded micro-channels and based on the magnetocaloric effect. We studied the influence of the coolant fluid in the refrigeration process by numerically simulating the heat transfer processes using the finite element method. This allowed us to calculate the cooling power of the device. Our results show that gallium is the most efficient coolant fluid and, when used with Gd5Si2Ge2, a maximum power of 11.2 W/mm3 at a working frequency of -5 kHz can be reached. However, for operation frequencies around 50 Hz, water is the most efficient fluid with a cooling power of 0.137 W/mm3.

Co nanostructures in ordered templates: comparative FORC analysis.

A comparative study on the structural and magnetic properties of highly ordered hexagonal arrays of Co nanoholes, nanowires, nanopillars and nanotubes, with tuned pore/wire/tube diameters, is here presented. The magnetic interactions and their dependence on the geometric features of the arrays were studied using first-order reversal curves (FORCs). For all nanostructures we observe an increase of the magnetostatic interactions with the templates' pore diameter, with the higher (smaller) values found for the nanowire (nanohole) arrays. For the smallest diameters studied (35 nm), all types of arrays could be considered as almost isolated nanostructures, where local interactions prevail. In particular, both nanotube and nanohole arrays exhibit considerable local magnetostatic interactions coming from the stray fields within each void or empty core. On the other hand, the coercivity is found to decrease with diameter for the elongated nanostructures, while it increases with the pore diameter for the nanohole arrays. This behavior is associated with the magnetization reversal mechanisms present in each array. This work highlights a versatile route to tailor the size, geometrical arrangement and magnetostatic interactions of ordered arrays and demonstrates their importance for the tuning of the magnetic behavior of nanometric devices.

Evaluation of von Willebrand factor during pregnancy, lactation and oestrous cycle in bitches affected and unaffected by von Willebrand disease.

Plasmatic concentrations of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) increase during pregnancy in humans and dogs; however the mechanism of such increase is still not well defined. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate changes in vWF concentration during pregnancy and during the subsequent oestrous cycle in bitches affected and unaffected by von Willebrand Disease (vWD); (ii) to correlate the vWF levels and cortisol levels in both groups. Seven vWD affected (GI) and nine unaffected (GII) bitches were used. The animals were assessed during pregnancy, parturition, lactation and non-gestational oestrous cycle in 11 moments (Pregnancy 1, Pregnancy 2, Parturition, Lactation 1, Lactation 2, Lactation 3, Anestrus, Proestrus, Oestrus, Diestrus 1, and Diestrus 2). The following tests were performed; measurement of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), albumin and cortisol. In both groups, vWF concentration remained stable during the non-gestational oestrous cycle, but increased during pregnancy, with the highest value observed at parturition. Increases of 70% and 124% in vWF were seen in GI and GII, respectively, compared to anestrus. No correlation was found between vWF and cortisol. Values of vWF:Ag changed during pregnancy, with a peak at parturition, both in vWD affected and unaffected animals. Values of vWF were not altered in the different phases of the oestrous cycle following pregnancy in both groups. Evaluation of vWF during pregnancy can cause false negative results for vWD, but assessment can be performed at any point in the oestrous cycle of non-pregnant bitches.

New mycoparasitic species in the genera Niveomyces and Pseudoniveomycesgen. nov. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, from Thailand.

Four new species of the genus Niveomyces are described from Thailand. They were found as mycoparasites on: Ophiocordyceps infecting flies (Diptera) for Niveomyces albus; ants (Hymenoptera) for N. formicidarum; and leafhoppers (Hemiptera) for N. hirsutellae and N. multisynnematus. A new genus, Pseudoniveomyces with two species: Pseudoniveo. blattae (type species), parasitic on Ophiocordyceps infecting cockroaches, and Pseudoniveo. arachnovorum, found on a spider egg sac, are also described. These fungi share a common feature which is a sporothrix-like asexual morph. Based on our molecular data, Sporothrix insectorum is shown to be affiliated to the genus Niveomyces, and thus a new combination N. insectorum comb. nov. is proposed. Niveomyces coronatus, N. formicidarum and N. insectorum formed the N. coronatus species complex found on ant-pathogenic Ophiocordyceps from different continents. Pseudoniveomyces species are distinguished from Niveomyces spp. based on the presence of fusoid macroconidia in culture and a red pigment diffused in the medium, resembling to Gibellula and Hevansia. The molecular phylogenetic analyses also confirmed its generic status. The host/substrates associated with the genera within Cordycipitaceae were mapped onto the phylogeny to demonstrate that mycoparasitism also evolved independently multiple times in this family. Citation: Kobmoo N, Tasanathai K, Araújo JPM, Noisripoom W, Thanakitpipattana D, Mongkolsamrit S, Himaman W, Houbraken J, Luangsa-ard JJ (2023). New mycoparasitic species in the genera Niveomyces and Pseudoniveomyces gen. nov. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), with sporothrix-like asexual morphs, from Thailand. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 91-110. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.07.

Pressure-Induced Phase Transformations of Quasi-2D Sr3Hf2O7.

We present an abinitio study of the quasi-2D layered perovskite Sr3Hf2O7 compound, performed within the framework of the density functional theory and lattice dynamics analysis. At high temperatures, this compound takes a I4/mmm centrosymmetric structure (S.G. n. 139); as the temperature is lowered, the symmetry is broken into other intermediate polymorphs before reaching the ground-state structure, which is the Cmc21 ferroelectric phase (S.G. n. 36). One of these intermediate polymorphs is the Ccce structural phase (S.G. n. 68). Additionally, we have probed the C2/c system (S.G n. 15), which was obtained by following the atomic displacements corresponding to the eigenvectors of the imaginary frequency mode localized at the Γ-point of the Ccce phase. By observing the enthalpies at low pressures, we found that the Cmc21 phase is thermodynamically the most stable. Our results show that the I4/mmm and C2/c phases never stabilize in the 0-20 GPa range of pressure values. On the other hand, the Ccce phase becomes energetically more stable at around 17 GPa, surpassing the Cmc21 structure. By considering the effect of entropy and the constant-volume free energies, we observe that the Cmc21 polymorph is energetically the most stable phase at low temperature; however, at 350 K, the Ccce system becomes the most stable. By probing the volume-dependent free energies at 19 GPa, we see that Ccce is always the most stable phase between the two structures and also throughout the studied temperature range. When analyzing the phonon dispersion frequencies, we conclude that the Ccce system becomes dynamically stable only around 19-20 GPa and that the Cmc21 phase is metastable up to 30 GPa.

Lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol associates to higher mortality in non-diabetic heart failure patients.

Background: In patients with established heart failure (HF) low total cholesterol levels associate with worse prognosis. Evidence concerning the impact of Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in HF is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of LDL-c in patients with HF, both with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed outpatients with chronic HF with systolic dysfunction followed in our HF clinic from January/2012 to May/2018. LDL-c was calculated using the Friedewald's formula. Patients without a complete lipid profile were excluded. The endpoint under analysis was all-cause mortality. Patients were followed until January/2021. A Cox-regression analysis was used to study the prognostic impact of LDL-c. The LDL-c cut-off used was 100 mg/dL (mean value). Analysis was stratified according to the coexistence of DM. Multivariate models were built adjusting for age, sex, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic non-coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, smoking status, statin use, severity of systolic dysfunction, creatinine clearance and evidence-based therapy. Results: We studied 522 chronic HF patients, mean age was 70 years, 66.5% males. Severe systolic dysfunction was present in 42.7%, 30.5% had coronary heart disease, 60.5% had arterial hypertension, 41.6% had DM. A total of 92.0% were treated with beta blocker, 87.5% with an ACEi/ARB and 29.1% with a MRA. During a median follow-up of 53 (interquartile range 33-73) months, 235 (45%) patients died. Patients with LDL-c ≤100 mg/dL presented increased multivariate-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality: HR = 1.58 (95% CI: 1.08-2.30), p = 0.02. When patients were stratified according to DM, LDL-c ≤100 mg/dL was independently associated with increased death risk - HR = 1.55 (95% CI:1.05-2.30), p = 0.03 in patients without DM; in patients with DM no association was detected - multivariate-adjusted HR = 1.18 (95% CI: 0.77-1.80), p = 0.44. Conclusion: Non-DM HF patients with LDL-c>100 mg/dL have a 35% reduction in the mortality risk when compared with those with lower values. The "cholesterol paradox" in HF also applies to LDL-c in non-DM patients.

Thermomagnetic properties and its effects on Fisher entropy with Schioberg plus Manning-Rosen potential (SPMRP) using Nikiforov-Uvarov functional analysis (NUFA) and supersymmetric quantum mechanics (SUSYQM) methods.

Thermomagnetic properties, and its effects on Fisher information entropy with Schioberg plus Manning-Rosen potential are studied using NUFA and SUSYQM methods in the presence of the Greene-Aldrich approximation scheme to the centrifugal term. The wave function obtained was used to study Fisher information both in position and momentum spaces for different quantum states by the gamma function and digamma polynomials. The energy equation obtained in a closed form was used to deduce numerical energy spectra, partition function, and other thermomagnetic properties. The results show that with an application of AB and magnetic fields, the numerical energy eigenvalues for different magnetic quantum spins decrease as the quantum state increases and completely removes the degeneracy of the energy spectra. Also, the numerical computation of Fisher information satisfies Fisher information inequality products, indicating that the particles are more localized in the presence of external fields than in their absence, and the trend shows complete localization of quantum mechanical particles in all quantum states. Our potential reduces to Schioberg and Manning-Rosen potentials as special cases. Our potential reduces to Schioberg and Manning-Rosen potentials as special cases. The energy equations obtained from the NUFA and SUSYQM were the same, demonstrating a high level of mathematical precision.