The influence of 60Co gamma radiation on the chemical and organoleptic properties of solid whole egg and solid egg yolk has been studied to provide a basis for assessing the feasibility of the radicidation of Salmonella in egg powder. Irradiation up to 10 kGy did not produce measurable changes in acidity, vitamins B1 or B2. Radiolytic changes in the fatty component included the decomposition of triglycerides, the formation of hydroperoxides, and the degradation of carotenoids. An increase in hydroperoxidation with dose was coupled with a decrease in carotenoids and vitamin A. Radiolytic decomposition of various amino acids was not random, indicating that the secondary reactions of free radicals from the oxidized lipids were also significant in the selective damage to amino acids. The effects of both lipid and protein fraction could be minimized by irradiating in the absence of oxygen. The organoleptic properties of native egg solids, as well as scrambled eggs and mayonnaise prepared thereof, were indistinguishable from the samples irradiated in air up to 3 kGy, and from samples irradiated in the absence of oxygen up to 5 kGy.

This study was performed in 2002, 6 yr after the introduction of a new regulation on salt iodination with 25 mg KI/kg of salt. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether further significant positive results of improved iodine intake could be observed among schoolchildren in Croatia. A total of 927 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged 6-12 yr, were included in the study. In Croatia, with a population of 4,437,460 the research was implemented in four major geographical regions: the Northwestern, Slavonia, Northern Adriatic and Dalmatian regions. Investigations included randomly selected pupils from regional centers and neighboring smaller towns or villages. The results have revealed that thyroid volumes were within the normal range according to the provisional WHO/ICCIDD reference values for sonographic thyroid volume in iodine-replete school-age children, updated in 2001. A significant improvement in medians of urinary iodine excretion was detected in 2002: from 9 microg/dl in 1991 to 14.6 microg/dl in Zagreb, from 4.3 microg/dl in 1995 to 13.1 microg/dl in Split, from 9.4 microg/dl in 1997 to 14.2 microg/dl in Rijeka and from 13.4 microg/dl in 1997 to 14.7 microg/dl in Osijek. An overall median of 14.0 microg/dl of urinary iodine excretion was detected in Croatian schoolchildren. The control of salt at different levels, from production to consumption, including salt produced in all three Croatian salt plants and imported salt, revealed that Croatian salt is adequately iodized. From severe iodine deficiency before the 1950s, through mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in the 1990s, Croatia has now reached iodine sufficiency.

The surgical treatment can result in hearing improvement and cessation or reduction of tinnitus.

Background/Aim. Attic cholesteatoma is an epithelial cystic pseudotumor which arises in the top compartment of the middle ear. Surgery is the only therapeutic treatment for attic cholesteatoma. The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical and audiological results in tympanoplasties that use a logical application of several techniques for the management of attic cholesteatoma. Our hypothesis was that the tympanoplasty technique with cartilage/bone reconstruction of the achieve better outcome than the tympanoplasty technique with only temporal fascia reconstruction of the lateral attic wall. Methods. This retrospective clinical study included 80 patients, aged 16-65 years, with attic cholesteatoma undergoing canal "wall up" tympanoplasty with lateral attic wall reconstruction, under general anesthesia in the Eear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Military Medical Academy in Belgrade between 2006 and 2010. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of lateral attic wall reconstruction: the group I of 60 patients with cartilage/bone plus temporalis fascia lateral attic wall reconstruction and the group II of 20 patients with only temporal fascia lateral attic wall reconstruction. Postoperative follow-up examinations were done at least 5 years after the surgery. The χ 2 test was used to compare postoperative sequelae for two groups of operated patients with lateral attic wall reconstruction.

The results of the treatment of Meniere's disease by intratympanic instillation of gentamicin in 32 patients over a 24-months period were analyzed. The receded vestibular function was found in 96.8% patients, whereas in the remaining 3.2% pronounced vestibular hypofunction was observed. One month after the treatment vertiginous attacks disappeared in all the patients. However, three months after the treatment infrequent episodes of mild degree vertigo and mild unsteadiness that did not require additional intratympanic gentamicin application appeared in 15% of the patients with Meniere's disease. The vertiginous attacks ceased or were pronouncedly reduced in 85% of the patients. The unstable vestibular hypofunction was successfully converted into stabilized, centrally compensated areflexia. Intratympanic gentamicin exerted better results than the other invasive therapies for intractable Meniere's disease.