The purpose of the present work is to investigate the effect of dietary-supplemented artichoke ( Cynara scolymus L.) on the mRNA expression of calbindin 1 ( Calb1), osteopontin ( Spp1), albumin ( Alb) and CALB1 protein in the eggshell gland (ESG) of laying hens. A total of 80 ISA Brown hens (each at 40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into two groups: a control and a treated group. All poultry received 130 g/day of compound feed for laying hens but the treated hens’ diet was also supplemented with 3g/kg of dried and milled artichoke ( Cynara scolymus L.). The increase of the Ca content in blood of the treated hens was established. Significantly decrease of Spp1 mRNA transcripts was found in the eggshell gland of the treated hens, while the mRNA level of Alb was increased. The relative expression of Calb1 mRNA tended to increase in the treated group. The expression of calbindin protein in the cytoplasm of glandular cells of the shell gland was defined by immunohistochemical method. Very strong signals of calbindin were observed in the treated group. The supplementation of the laying hens’ diet with dried artichoke ( C. scolymus L.) led to a significant increase of Ca content in blood that was reflected in the changes of expression of the eggshell gland genes involved in the mineralization of eggshell.

Chromium usually occurs in the (III) or (VI) oxidation state. Cr(III) is essential for mammalian systems to influence maintain several metabolic pathways. In contrast. Cr(YI) exerts toxic influence on biological systems and is strongly canccrogcnic. Cr(Vl) compounds arc usually highly soluble, mobile and bioavailable compared to sparingly soluble trivalent chromium compounds. Chromium is most often analysed using instrumental methods such as AAS or ICP. These methods are precise and sensitive but make determination of only total chromium. Possible content of Cr(VI) is estimated from the difference of total chromium content and Cr(III), which is analysed using photometric methods. This so-called "difference method" makes the calculated concentration of Cr(VI) is inaccurate. This paper describes sensitive and selective determination of Cr(VI) in various waters at ug/dnr' levels using a simple ion chromatography system with UV detector.

The Iconology by Cesare Ripa (1593), which constitutes a rich compendium of iconographic representations in which abstract concepts, virtues and vices were imagined through human figures and their attributes, features also the figures of old women. In the article the following questions are raised: Which of these concepts, virtues of human character, vices and inclinations are personified by “crones”, which by old women and which by women “in their prime”? Does the Italian iconographer motivate his choices and what explanations does he provide? What features were attributed to old age in the 16th and 17th centuries? And finally: how do ancient patterns of writing about old age and medieval stereotypes are reflected in Ripa's Iconology?