The origin and speciation of orchids.

Orchids constitute one of the most spectacular radiations of flowering plants. However, their origin, spread across the globe, and hotspots of speciation remain uncertain due to the lack of an up-to-date phylogeographic analysis. We present a new Orchidaceae phylogeny based on combined high-throughput and Sanger sequencing data, covering all five subfamilies, 17/22 tribes, 40/49 subtribes, 285/736 genera, and c. 7% (1921) of the 29 524 accepted species, and use it to infer geographic range evolution, diversity, and speciation patterns by adding curated geographical distributions from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants. The orchids' most recent common ancestor is inferred to have lived in Late Cretaceous Laurasia. The modern range of Apostasioideae, which comprises two genera with 16 species from India to northern Australia, is interpreted as relictual, similar to that of numerous other groups that went extinct at higher latitudes following the global climate cooling during the Oligocene. Despite their ancient origin, modern orchid species diversity mainly originated over the last 5 Ma, with the highest speciation rates in Panama and Costa Rica. These results alter our understanding of the geographic origin of orchids, previously proposed as Australian, and pinpoint Central America as a region of recent, explosive speciation.

Gut microbiota variation of a tropical oil-collecting bee species far exceeds that of the honeybee.

Introduction: Interest for bee microbiota has recently been rising, alleviating the gap in knowledge in regard to drivers of solitary bee gut microbiota. However, no study has addressed the microbial acquisition routes of tropical solitary bees. For both social and solitary bees, the gut microbiota has several essential roles such as food processing and immune responses. While social bees such as honeybees maintain a constant gut microbiota by direct transmission from individuals of the same hive, solitary bees do not have direct contact between generations. They thus acquire their gut microbiota from the environment and/or the provision of their brood cell. To establish the role of life history in structuring the gut microbiota of solitary bees, we characterized the gut microbiota of Centris decolorata from a beach population in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Females provide the initial brood cell provision for the larvae, while males patrol the nest without any contact with it. We hypothesized that this behavior influences their gut microbiota, and that the origin of larval microbiota is from brood cell provisions. Methods: We collected samples from adult females and males of C. decolorata (n = 10 each, n = 20), larvae (n = 4), and brood cell provisions (n = 10). For comparison purposes, we also sampled co-occurring female foragers of social Apis mellifera (n = 6). The samples were dissected, their DNA extracted, and gut microbiota sequenced using 16S rRNA genes. Pollen loads of A. mellifera and C. decolorata were analyzed and interactions between bee species and their plant resources were visualized using a pollination network. Results: While we found the gut of A. mellifera contained the same phylotypes previously reported in the literature, we noted that the variability in the gut microbiota of solitary C. decolorata was significantly higher than that of social A. mellifera. Furthermore, the microbiota of adult C. decolorata mostly consisted of acetic acid bacteria whereas that of A. mellifera mostly had lactic acid bacteria. Among C. decolorata, we found significant differences in alpha and beta diversity between adults and their brood cell provisions (Shannon and Chao1 p < 0.05), due to the higher abundance of families such as Rhizobiaceae and Chitinophagaceae in the brood cells, and of Acetobacteraceae in adults. In addition, the pollination network analysis indicated that A. mellifera had a stronger interaction with Byrsonima sp. and a weaker interaction with Combretaceae while interactions between C. decolorata and its plant resources were constant with the null model. Conclusion: Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that behavioral differences in brood provisioning between solitary and social bees is a factor leading to relatively high variation in the microbiota of the solitary bee.

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Molecular Testing Does Not Correlate with Irritative or Painful Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

PURPOSE: For patients with persistent irritative lower urinary tract symptoms, such as dysuria and urinary frequency, evaluation for the atypical organisms Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma has been a common part of care. However, these species are genitourinary colonizers and have not been established as causative pathogens in chronic lower urinary tract symptoms. We therefore sought to evaluate diagnostic testing patterns for Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma and characterize the associations of these bacteria with irritative lower urinary tract symptoms using molecular detection techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma testing patterns for 2019 were assessed using an anonymized data repository. Clean catch urine specimens (179) were collected prospectively from female and male patients with and without irritative lower urinary tract symptoms. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction evaluated urinary Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma DNA concentrations, while next-generation sequencing assessed the relative abundance of Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma within the urinary bacterial population. RESULTS: Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma testing was common, with 575 tests performed in 2019 in our community hospital system. In our cohort, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma were identified in similar proportions in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects: 25% of female controls and 27% of females with lower urinary tract symptoms and 9.5% of asymptomatic males and 3.3% of men with symptoms (p=0.87 and p=0.91 for females and males, respectively). Regression analysis revealed that both abundance and concentrations of Mycoplasmataceae correlated negatively with a range of irritative lower urinary tract symptoms, including dysuria and urethral pain. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant negative correlation of Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma levels with a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms suggests that polymerase chain reaction-based Mycoplasmataceae detection has little diagnostic benefit in assessment of chronic irritative urinary symptoms.

Unsupervised Machine Learning Approaches Reveal Distinct Phenotypes of Perceived Bladder Pain: A Pilot Study.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is defined as an unpleasant sensation perceived to be related to the bladder with associated urinary symptoms. Due to difficulties discriminating pelvic visceral sensation, IC/BPS likely represents multiple phenotypes with different etiologies that present with overlapping symptomatic manifestations, which complicates clinical management. We hypothesized that unique bladder pain phenotypes or "symptomatic clusters" would be identifiable using machine learning analysis (unsupervised clustering) of validated patient-reported urinary and pain measures. Patients (n = 145) with pelvic pain/discomfort perceived to originate in the bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms answered validated questionnaires [OAB Questionnaire (OAB-q), O'Leary-Sant Indices (ICSI/ICPI), female Genitourinary Pain Index (fGUPI), and Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI)]. In comparison to asymptomatic controls (n = 69), machine learning revealed three bladder pain phenotypes with unique, salient features. The first group chiefly describes urinary frequency and pain with the voiding cycle, in which bladder filling causes pain relieved by bladder emptying. The second group has fluctuating pelvic discomfort and straining to void, urinary frequency and urgency without incontinence, and a sensation of incomplete emptying without urinary retention. Pain in the third group was not associated with voiding, instead being more constant and focused on the urethra and vagina. While not utilized as a feature for clustering, subjects in the second and third groups were significantly younger than subjects in the first group and controls without pain. These phenotypes defined more homogeneous patient subgroups which responded to different therapies on chart review. Current approaches to the management of heterogenous populations of bladder pain patients are often ineffective, discouraging both patients and providers. The granularity of individual phenotypes provided by unsupervised clustering approaches can be exploited to help objectively define more homogeneous patient subgroups. Better differentiation of unique phenotypes within the larger group of pelvic pain patients is needed to move toward improvements in care and a better understanding of the etiologies of these painful symptoms.

Optimization of DNA extraction from human urinary samples for mycobiome community profiling.

INTRODUCTION: Recent data suggest the urinary tract hosts a microbial community of varying composition, even in the absence of infection. Culture-independent methodologies, such as next-generation sequencing of conserved ribosomal DNA sequences, provide an expansive look at these communities, identifying both common commensals and fastidious organisms. A fundamental challenge has been the isolation of DNA representative of the entire resident microbial community, including fungi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated multiple modifications of commonly-used DNA extraction procedures using standardized male and female urine samples, comparing resulting overall, fungal and bacterial DNA yields by quantitative PCR. After identifying protocol modifications that increased DNA yields (lyticase/lysozyme digestion, bead beating, boil/freeze cycles, proteinase K treatment, and carrier DNA use), all modifications were combined for systematic confirmation of optimal protocol conditions. This optimized protocol was tested against commercially available methodologies to compare overall and microbial DNA yields, community representation and diversity by next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: Overall and fungal-specific DNA yields from standardized urine samples demonstrated that microbial abundances differed significantly among the eight methods used. Methodologies that included multiple disruption steps, including enzymatic, mechanical, and thermal disruption and proteinase digestion, particularly in combination with small volume processing and pooling steps, provided more comprehensive representation of the range of bacterial and fungal species. Concentration of larger volume urine specimens at low speed centrifugation proved highly effective, increasing resulting DNA levels and providing greater microbial representation and diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the methodology of urine storage, preparation, and DNA processing improve microbial community profiling using culture-independent sequencing methods. Our optimized protocol for DNA extraction from urine samples provided improved fungal community representation. Use of this technique resulted in equivalent representation of the bacterial populations as well, making this a useful technique for the concurrent evaluation of bacterial and fungal populations by NGS.

Best in the company of nearby males: female success in the threatened cycad, Zamia portoricensis.

Variation in plant reproductive success is affected by ecological conditions including the proximity of potential mates. We address the hypothesis that spatial distribution of sexes affects female reproductive success (RS) in the dioecious cycad, Zamia portoricensis. Are the frequencies of males, operational sex ratios, and distances to the nearest mate associated with RS in females? We studied the spatial distribution of sexes in two populations in Puerto Rico and compared RS of target females with the number of males and operational sex ratios. Population structure suggests regular successful recruitment. Adults, males, and females were randomly distributed with respect to one another. Reproductive success of females was highly variable, but was higher in neighborhoods with more males than females and generally decreased with increasing distance to the nearest male, becoming statistically significant beyond 190 cm. This possible mate-finding Allee effect indicates that pollinator movement among plants may be limited for this mutually dependent plant-pollinator interaction. Yet being close to male plants is a matter of chance, perhaps a factor generating the high intra-population genetic diversity in Z. portoricensis.

Beware of the interval cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Despite limited data regarding the indications and effectiveness of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in the treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC), usage has increased by over 500% since 1994. Many of these patients subsequently undergo interval cholecystectomy (IC), a procedure that has not been rigorously evaluated. This aim of this study was to quantify the morbidity and mortality associated with the IC. METHODS: We included all consecutive adult patients (>18 years old) who underwent PC and IC from January 2008 to December 2013. Conversion rate, length of operation, biliary injury, estimated blood loss, surgical site infection, length of stay, and mortality were compared with 227 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for AC during the same time interval. RESULTS: Of 18,501 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, 337 had at least one PC and 177 underwent subsequent IC. Compared with patients undergoing cholecystectomy for clinically diagnosed AC, patients undergoing IC were older (69.8 vs. 54.9 years; p < 0.001), thinner (body mass index, 28.7 vs. 31.1; p = 0.002), more complex by Tokyo grade (1.9 vs. 1.1; p < 0.001), and American Society of Anesthesia classification (3.0 vs. 2.5; p < 0.001), had longer operative times (120.7 vs. 92.5 minutes; p < 0.0001), more blood loss (30 vs. 15 mL; p = 0.01), and increased rates of conversion (26.6% vs. 12.8%; p < 0.001), surgical site infection (12.4% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.001), bowel injury (6.2% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.001), and 1-year mortality (15.3% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.01). Nonsignificant trends included significant biliary tract injury (3 vs. 0; p = 0.08) and longer length of stay (7.3 vs. 4.8 days; p = 0.39). Linear regression identified body mass index (p = 0.03), time from admission to PC (p = 0.03), and American Society of Anesthesia classification (p = 0.06) as predictors of a difficult IC. CONCLUSION: PC has been widely adopted with limited description of the subsequent IC. Our data detail the factors predicting the challenges of IC and document that it is a difficult operation associated with significant morbidity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Terrestrial orchids in a tropical forest: best sites for abundance differ from those for reproduction.

Suitable habitat for a species is often modeled by linking its distribution patterns with landscape characteristics. However, modeling the relationship between fitness and landscape characteristics is less common. In this study we take a novel approach towards species distribution modeling (SDM) by investigating factors important not only for species occurrence, but also abundance and physical size, as well as fitness measures. We used the Neotropical terrestrial orchid Prescottia stachyodes as our focal species, and compiled geospatial information on habitat and neighboring plants for use in a two-part conditional SDM that accounted for zero inflation and reduced spatial autocorrelation bias. First, we modeled orchid occurrence, and then within suitable sites we contrasted habitat characteristics important for orchid abundance as compared to plant size. We then tested possible fitness implications, informed by analyses of allometric scaling of reproductive effort and lamina area, as well as size-density relationships in areas of P. stachyodes co-occurrence. We determined that orchid presence was based on a combination of biotic and abiotic factors (indicator species, diffuse solar radiation). Within these sites, P. stachyodes abundance was higher on flat terrain, with fine, moderately well-drained soil, and areas without other native orchids, whereas plant size was greater in less rocky areas. In turn, plant size determined reproductive effort, with floral display height proportionate to lamina area (more photosynthates); however, allometric scaling of flower quantity suggests a higher energy cost for production, or maintenance, of flowers. Overall, habitat factors most important for abundance differed from those for size (and thus reproductive effort), suggesting that sites optimal for either recruitment or survival may not be the primary source of seeds. For plots with multiple P. stachyodes plants, size-density relationships differed depending on the size class examined, which may reflect context-dependent population dynamics. Thus, ecological resolution provided by SDM can be enhanced by incorporating abundance and fitness measures.

When stable-stage equilibrium is unlikely: integrating transient population dynamics improves asymptotic methods.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Evaluation of population projection matrices (PPMs) that are focused on asymptotically based properties of populations is a commonly used approach to evaluate projected dynamics of managed populations. Recently, a set of tools for evaluating the properties of transient dynamics has been expanded to evaluate PPMs and to consider the dynamics of populations prior to attaining the stable-stage distribution, a state that may never be achieved in disturbed or otherwise ephemeral habitats or persistently small populations. This study re-evaluates data for a tropical orchid and examines the value of including such analyses in an integrative approach. METHODS: Six small populations of Lepanthes rubripetala were used as a model system and the R software package popdemo was used to produce estimates of the indices for the asymptotic growth rate (lambda), sensitivities, reactivity, first-time step attenuation, maximum amplification, maximum attenuation, maximal inertia and maximal attenuation. The response in lambda to perturbations of demographic parameters using transfer functions and multiple perturbations on growth, stasis and fecundity were also determined. The results were compared with previously published asymptotic indices. KEY RESULTS: It was found that combining asymptotic and transient dynamics expands the understanding of possible population changes. Comparison of the predicted density from reactivity and first-time step attenuation with the observed change in population size in two orchid populations showed that the observed density was within the predicted range. However, transfer function analysis suggests that the traditional approach of measuring perturbation of growth rates and persistence (inertia) may be misleading and is likely to result in erroneous management decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, an integrative approach is recommended using traditional PPMs (asymptotic processes) with an evaluation of the diversity of dynamics that may arise when populations are not at a stable-stage distribution (transient processes). This method is preferable for designing rapid and efficient interventions after disturbances, and for developing strategies to establish new populations.

The effect of an acute antioxidant supplementation compared with placebo on performance and hormonal response during a high volume resistance training session.

Antioxidant supplementation is known to increase human endogenous antioxidant (AOX) capacity providing a means of blunting exercise induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single acute dose of an AOX (vs blinded placebo) on muscle contractile performance and hormonal responses to a single bout of lower limb 'hypertrophic' resistance training (RT). Fifteen resistance trained subjects (age 23 ± 4 years: body mass 86 ± 6 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Each subject attended the laboratory on three occasions, firstly to determine three repetition maximum (3-RM) isotonic strength in the back squat and perform a familiarisation of the experimental task. On the second/third visits subjects completed the hypertrophic training session (HTS) which consisted of six sets of 10 repetitions of 70% of a predicted 1 RM load (kg). Four hours prior to the HTS the subjects consumed 2 ml#x2219;kg-1 total body mass of either the placebo mixture or AOX supplement in a randomised order. Work completed during the strength training session was completed with equipment that had an integrated linear force transducer (Gymaware system, Kinetic Performance Technology, Canberra, Australia). During the placebo trials concentric mean power significantly (p < 0.05) decreased from sets 1-6. Accumulated power output during the AOX HTS was 6746 ± 5.9 W which was significantly greater compared to the placebo HTS of 6493 ± 17.1 W (p < 0.05, ES'r = 0.99). Plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration was significantly less immediately following AOX supplementation (6.65 ± 1.84 vs 16.08 ± 2.78 ng#x2219;ml-1; p < 0.05, ES'r = 0.89). This study demonstrates ingestion of an AOX cocktail prior to a single bout of resistance training improved muscle contractile performance and modulated the GH response following completion of the resistance exercise. Future studies should explore the mechanisms associated with the performance modification and specific muscle adaptations to AOX supplementation in conjunction with heavy RT.

Nutrient limitation restricts growth and reproductive output in a tropical montane cloud forest bromeliad: findings from a long-term forest fertilization experiment.

From studies in seasonal lowland tropical forests, bromeliad epiphytes appear to be limited mainly by water, and to a lesser extent by nutrient supply, especially phosphorous. Less is understood about the mineral nutrition of tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) epiphytes, even though their highest diversity is in this habitat. Nutrient limitation is known to be a key factor restricting forest productivity in TMCF, and if epiphytes are nutritionally linked to their host trees, as has been suggested, we would expect that they are also nutrient limited. We studied the effect of a higher nutrient input on reproduction and growth of the tank bromeliad Werauhia sintenisii in experimental plots located in a TMCF in Puerto Rico, where all macro- and micronutrients had been added quarterly starting in 1989 and continuing throughout the duration of this study. We found that bromeliads growing in fertilized plots were receiving litterfall with higher concentrations of N, P, and Zn and had higher concentrations of P, Zn, Fe, Al, and Na in their vegetative body. The N:P ratios found (fertilized = 27.5 and non-fertilized = 33.8) suggest that W. sintenisii may also be phosphorous limited as are lowland epiphytes. Fertilized plants had slightly longer inflorescences, and more flowers per inflorescence, than non-fertilized plants, but their flowers produced nectar in similar concentrations and quantities. Fertilized plants produced more seeds per fruit and per plant. Frequency of flowering in two consecutive years was higher for fertilized plants than for controls, suggesting that fertilized plants overcome the cost of reproduction more readily than non-fertilized plants. These results provide evidence that TMCF epiphytic bromeliads are nutrient limited like their lowland counterparts.

Digital live-tracking 3-dimensional minisensors for recording head orientation during image acquisition.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to test the value of minisensors for recording unrestrained head position with 6 degrees of freedom during 3-dimensional stereophotogrammetry. METHODS: Four 3-dimensional pictures (3dMD, Atlanta, Ga) were taken of 20 volunteers as follows: (1) in unrestrained head position, (2) a repeat of picture 1, (3) in unrestrained head position wearing a headset with 3-dimensional live tracking sensors (3-D Guidance trackSTAR; Ascension Technology, Burlington, Vt), and (4) a repeat of picture 3. The sensors were used to track the x, y, and z coordinates (pitch, roll, and yaw) of the head in space. The patients were seated in front of a mirror and asked to stand and take a walk between each acquisition. Eight landmarks were identified in each 3-dimensional picture (nasion, tip of nose, subnasale, right and left lip commissures, midpoints of upper and lower lip vermilions, soft-tissue B-point). The distances between correspondent landmarks were measured between pictures 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 with software. The Student t test was used to test differences between unrestrained head position with and without sensors. RESULTS: Interlandmark distances for pictures 1 and 2 (head position without the sensors) and pictures 3 and 4 (head position with sensors) were consistent for all landmarks, indicating that roll, pitch, and yaw of the head are controlled independently of the sensors. However, interlandmark distances were on average 17.34 ± 0.32 mm between pictures 1 and 2. Between pictures 3 and 4, the distances averaged 6.17 ± 0.15 mm. All interlandmark distances were significantly different between the 2 methods (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3-dimensional live-tracking sensors aids the reproducibility of patient head positioning during repeated or follow-up acquisitions of 3-dimensional stereophotogrammetry. Even with sensors, differences in spatial head position between acquisitions still require additional registration procedures.

Cranial base superimposition for 3-dimensional evaluation of soft-tissue changes.

INTRODUCTION: The recent emphases on soft tissues as the limiting factor in treatment and on soft-tissue relationships in establishing the goals of treatment has made 3-dimensional (3D) analysis of soft tissues more important in diagnosis and treatment planning. It is equally important to be able to detect changes in the facial soft tissues produced by growth or treatment. This requires structures of reference for superimposition and a way to display the changes with quantitative information. METHODS: In this study, we outlined a technique for quantifying facial soft-tissue changes viewed in cone-beam computed tomography data, using fully automated voxel-wise registrations of the cranial base surface. The assessment of soft-tissue changes is done by calculation of the Euclidean surface distances between the 3D models. Color maps are used for visual assessment of the location and the quantification of changes. RESULTS: This methodology allows a detailed examination of soft-tissue changes with growth or treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the lack of stable references with 3D photogrammetry, 3D photography, and laser scanning, soft-tissue changes cannot be accurately quantified by these methods.

Primary failure of eruption and PTH1R: the importance of a genetic diagnosis for orthodontic treatment planning.

INTRODUCTION: Primary failure of eruption (PFE) is characterized by nonsyndromic eruption failure of permanent teeth in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Recent studies support that this dental phenotype is inherited and that mutations in PTH1R genes explain several familial cases of PFE. The objective of our study was to investigate how genetic analysis can be used with clinical diagnostic information for improved orthodontic management of PFE. METHODS: We evaluated a family (n = 12) that segregated an autosomal dominant form of PFE with 5 affected and 7 unaffected persons. Nine available family members (5 male, 4 female) were enrolled and subsequently characterized clinically and genetically. RESULTS: In this family, PFE segregated with a novel mutation in the PTH1R gene. A heterozygous c.1353-1 G>A sequence alteration caused a putative splice-site mutation and skipping of exon 15 that segregated with the PFE phenotype in all affected family members. CONCLUSIONS: A PTH1R mutation is strongly associated with failure of orthodontically assisted eruption or tooth movement and should therefore alert clinicians to treat PFE and ankylosed teeth with similar caution-ie, avoid orthodontic treatment with a continuous archwire.

Riding across the selection landscape: fitness consequences of annual variation in reproductive characteristics.

Evolutionary models estimating phenotypic selection in character size usually assume that the character is invariant across reproductive bouts. We show that variation in the size of reproductive traits may be large over multiple events and can influence fitness in organisms where these traits are produced anew each season. With data from populations of two orchid species, Caladenia valida and Tolumnia variegata, we used Bayesian statistics to investigate the effect on the distribution in fitness of individuals when the fitness landscape is not flat and when characters vary across reproductive bouts. Inconsistency in character size across reproductive periods within an individual increases the uncertainty of mean fitness and, consequently, the uncertainty in individual fitness. The trajectory of selection is likely to be muddled as a consequence of variation in morphology of individuals across reproductive bouts. The frequency and amplitude of such changes will certainly affect the dynamics between selection and genetic drift.

Pharyngeal airway volume and shape from cone-beam computed tomography: relationship to facial morphology.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the differences in airway shape and volume among subjects with various facial patterns. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography records of 62 nongrowing patients were used to evaluate the pharyngeal airway volume (superior and inferior compartments) and shape. This was done by using 3-dimensional virtual surface models to calculate airway volumes instead of estimates based on linear measurements. Subgroups of the sample were determined by anteroposterior jaw relationships and vertical proportions. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between the volume of the inferior component of the airway and the anteroposterior jaw relationship (P = 0.02), and between airway volume and both size of the face and sex (P = 0.02, P = 0.01). No differences in airway volumes related to vertical facial proportions were found. Skeletal Class II patients often had forward inclination of the airway (P <0.001), whereas skeletal Class III patients had a more vertically oriented airway (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Airway volume and shape vary among patients with different anteroposterior jaw relationships; airway shape but not volume differs with various vertical jaw relationships. The methods developed in this study make it possible to determine the relationship of 3-dimensional pharyngeal airway surface models to facial morphology, while controlling for variability in facial size.