Acute Acoustic Trauma among Soldiers during an Intense Combat.

Background: During military actions, soldiers are constantly exposed to various forms of potentially harmful noises. Acute acoustic trauma (AAT) results from an impact, unexpected intense noise ≥140 dB, which generates a high-energy sound wave that can damage the auditory system.

Purpose: We sought to characterize AAT injuries among military personnel during operation "Protective Edge," to analyze the effectiveness of hearing protection devices (HPDs), and to evaluate the benefit of steroid treatment in early-diagnosed AAT injury.

Near real-time space-time cluster analysis for detection of enteric disease outbreaks in a community setting.

Objectives: To enhance timely surveillance of bacterial enteric pathogens, space-time cluster analysis was introduced in Israel in May 2013.

Methods: Stool isolation data of Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter from patients of a large Health Maintenance Organization were analyzed weekly by ArcGIS and SaTScan, and cluster results were sent promptly to local departments of health (LDOHs).

Results: During eighteen months, we identified 52 Shigella sonnei clusters, two Salmonella clusters, and no Campylobacter clusters.

Different effects of long-term exposures to SO2 and NO2 air pollutants on asthma severity in young adults.

Numerous studies demonstrated that exposure to ambient air pollutants contributes to severity and frequency of asthma exacerbations. However, whether common air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), exert differential effects on asthma occurrence and severity is unclear. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether exposure to NO2 and/or SO2 may initiate different long-term effects on prevalence and severity of asthma in young adults.

Case report: a brain abscess in a disaster zone- beyond the call of duty.

We present a case of a child with a suspected brain abscess treated by a military field hospital in post-typhoon Philippines. We review our intervention and decision process both at the field hospital and following his transfer to a referral center. These interventions were critical for his successful outcome.

Pediatric otolaryngology in a field hospital in the Philippines.

Background: Major natural disasters adversely affect local medical services and resources. We sought to characterize pediatric patients presenting with otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS)-related diseases/injuries to a field hospital over 11 days of operation, which was deployed to assist the healthcare facilities in Bogo, the Philippines, in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

Methods: We reviewed charts of pediatric patients aged 0-18 years visiting our field hospital, who presented with OTO-HNS-related diseases/injuries.