Chromosome numbers and pollen stainability of three species of Pacific Island breadfruit (Artocarpus, Moraceae).

Chromosome numbers were determined for 48 accessions of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, A. mariannensis, and A. camansi [Moraceae]) from 16 Pacific Island groups, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Artocarpus camansi and A. mariannensis exhibit counts of 2n = 56; 2n = 56 (diploidy) and 2n = 84 (triploidy) were observed for A. altilis. Most diploid cultivars of A. altilis were seeded, but two cultivars with reduced seed number were observed. Micronesian accessions included putative interspecific hybrids between A. altilis and A. mariannensis. The majority of these accessions were seedless diploids, but triploid putative hybrids were also observed. Pollen stainablility was shown to correlate with the degree of seediness.

Conservation genetics of the endangered endemic Hawaiian genus Brighamia (Campanulaceae).

The endemic Hawaiian genus Brighamia (Campanulaceae) comprises two federally endangered, morphologically similar species, B. insignis from Kaua`i and Ni`ihau and B. rockii from Moloka`i. To assist the design of conservation management programs for these taxa, isozyme analyses were performed to assess the levels of genetic diversity at the population and species levels, including comparisons within and among seven natural populations and one ex situ collection each of B. insignis and B. rockii. Our sampling (N = 80) represents ~41% of all known individuals in the wild. Isozyme analyses revealed levels of genetic variation comparable to those reported for other Hawaiian flowering plant taxa but low levels of genetic variation at the population and species levels when compared to flowering plants in general. Ex situ individuals (N = 61) were genetically representative of natural populations and hence may appropriately serve as stock for population augmentations. The two morphologically similar Brighamia species were highly distinct genetically. The combination of morphological and ecological similarity with allozymic dissimilarity observed in Brighamia is unique among the Hawaiian taxa studied to date.

Heterotopic ossification masquerading as deep venous thrombosis in head-injured adult: complications of anticoagulation.

A 26-year-old man manifested clinical signs of a left iliofemoral thrombosis 12 weeks after closed head injury in a motor vehicle accident. The deep vein thrombosis was initially diagnosed by venography and appropriate anticoagulation therapy was instituted. After four days of treatment, there was no significant resolution of signs or symptoms and the circumference of the left thigh had increased with an associated decrease in hemoglobin. A CT scan of the involved thigh revealed hemorrhage and calcification within the quadriceps muscle. In retrospect, it was evident that the hemorrhage and heterotopic ossification had caused compression of the surrounding tissue and vessels thus mimicking a deep vein thrombosis on venography. Clinicians need to be aware of the similarity of the early clinical manifestations of heterotopic ossifications and deep vein thrombosis and the complications which could arise with anticoagulation therapy initiated too early in the course of the disease.