Based on a combination of data from the Czech National Phytosociological Database and expert knowledge, a database of vascular plant species pools for 88 habitats, representative of the diversity of Czech vegetation, was compiled. This database contains 1820 native species, 249 archaeophytes and 278 neophytes, each assigned to one or more habitats. Besides the data on species occurrence in different habitats, the database contains information on a species’ ecological optimum in the habitat or its dominance. The largest pools of native species were found in rather rare habitats of dry and warm herbaceous or woody habitats at low altitudes, some of which contain > 530 species (maximum of 695 species for thermophilous forest fringes). These were followed by common habitats on mesic soils. The smallest pools of native species were in saline, aquatic and bog habitats ( 350 native species always contained > 5 archaeophytes and > 5 neophytes, and often many more. Two hundred and thirty two native species, 18 archaeophytes and 30 neophytes were identified as potential dominants in at least one habitat. However, potentially dominant species made up less than 3% of the species pool for 78 out of 88 habitats. Larger percentages (up to 14.6%) of potential dominants were included in habitats with small species pools and species-poor stands (e.g., aquatic, saline and mire habitats). The number of habitats in which a species occurred was used as a measure of its ecological range. Most ecological generalists were found among the native species, less among the archaeophytes and least among the neophytes. Out of the 36 species that occur as dominants in three or more habitats, 34 were native (many are grasses), onewas an archaeophyte (Cirsium arvense) and one was a neophyte (Impatiens parviflora).
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is widely used in treatment of decompensated heart failure. Our aim was
to investigate its effects on regional perfusion and tissueoxygenation with respect to extracorporeal blood flow (EBF). In five swine, decompensated low-output chronic heart failure was induced by long-term rapid ventricular pacing. Subsequently, VA ECMO was introduced and left ventricular (LV) volume, aorticblood pressure, regional arterial flow and tissue oxygenation
were continuously recorded at different levels of EBF. With increasing
EBF from minimal to 5 l/min, mean arterial pressureincreased from 47±22 to
84±12 mm Hg (P<0.001) and arterial blood flow increased in carotid artery
from 211±72 to 479±58 ml/min (P<0.01) and in subclavian artery from 103
±49 to 296±54 ml/min (P<0.001). Corresponding brain and brachial tissue oxygenation increased promptly from 57±6 to 74±3 % and from 37±6 to
77±6 %, respectively (both P<0.01).Presented results confirm that
VA ECMO is a capable form of heart support. Regional arterial flow and tissue oxygenationsuggest that partial circulatory support may be sufficient to supply brain and peripheral tissue by oxygen.
Structural differences of microtriches and distal cytoplasm of the tegument in the apical and lateral suckers, scolex proper and neck of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin,1815) were studied. The microthrix border in the apical sucker is formed by filamentous microtriches only. The frontal and lateral parts of scolex bear mainly filamentous microtriches, but seldom short conoid types occur. The transitional zone between scolex and neck is covered mainly with short conoid microtriches. The neck bears blade-like microtriches. In the apical and lateral suckers, the basal plasma membrane of the distal cytoplasm adheres to the basal lamina at some points only, forming thus a lacunal system at the base of the sucker tegument. In the scolex proper and neck region, the basal plasma membrane of the tegument is connected continuously with the basal lamina. The distal cytoplasm is penetrated by two types of gland cell ducts and cibate sensory receptors. Possible functions of different parts of the microthrix border are discussed.