Fast-slow traits predict competition network structure and its response to resources and enemies.

Plants interact in complex networks but how network structure depends on resources, natural enemies and species resource-use strategy remains poorly understood. Here, we quantified competition networks among 18 plants varying in fast-slow strategy, by testing how increased nutrient availability and reduced foliar pathogens affected intra- and inter-specific interactions. Our results show that nitrogen and pathogens altered several aspects of network structure, often in unexpected ways due to fast and slow growing species responding differently.

Management of the pediatric OSAS: what about simultaneously expand the maxilla and advance the mandible? A retrospective non-randomized controlled cohort study.

Objective/background: This retrospective non-randomized controlled cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of simultaneous maxillary expansion and mandibular advancement for the management of pediatric OSAS.

Patients/methods: The sample was composed of 94 children treated with an innovative orthopedic device to correct a Class II malocclusion associated with an OSAS. Polysomnographic recordings were performed before and after the treatment.

Epidermal UVA screening capacity measured in situ as an indicator of light acclimation state of leaves of a very plastic alpine plant Soldanella alpina L.

Soldanella alpina differing in leaf epidermal UV-A absorbance (DEA), as measured with the Dualex, was investigated as a model alpine plant for the flavonoid (Flav) composition and concentration and for anatomical and pigment characteristics. In sun leaves, twenty-three flavones were characterised by their mass formula, their maximum absorption, their glycosylation, their methylation and dehydroxylation pattern. The flavones belonged to four subfamilies (tetra-hydroxy-flavones, penta-hydroxy-flavones, penta-hydroxy-methyl-flavones and tri-hydroxy-di-methoxy-flavones), abundant in sun and shade leaves.

Effects of allergen sensitization on response to therapy in children with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background: In children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) foods are the most common disease triggers, but environmental allergens are also suspected culprits.

Objective: To determine the effects of environmental allergen sensitization on response to treatment in children with EoE in the southeastern United States.

Methods: Patients 2 to 18 years old who were referred to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Clinic from January 2012 to January 2016 were enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal cohort study with collection of demographics, clinical symptoms, medical history, allergy sensitization profiles, and response to treatment over time.