This paper investigates the potential for carbonating reactive magnesia (MgO) to serve as a more sustainable soil stabilization method by providing rapid and significant strength development of the stabilized soil through absorbing substantial quantities of CO2. Gaseous CO2 was forced through laboratory-prepared reactive MgO-treated soil samples in a triaxial cell set-up, and their resulting mechanical and microstructural properties were investigated using unconfined compressive strength, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that adequately carbonated MgO-treated soils could, in a few hours, reach a similar strength range to corresponding 28 day Portland cement (PC)-stabilized soils. Hydrated magnesium carbonates, namely nesquehonite and hydromagnesite–dypingite, were the main products of the carbonated MgO in the soil, and were responsible for the significant strength development.

The Fontan operation or total cavopulmonal connection (TCPC) is a palliative surgical correction of rare and complex inborn cardiac malformations that are characterized by univentricular circulation. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) develops in 4-13% of patients after the Fontan procedure. Fontan-related PLE leads to secondary combined immunodeficiency marked by hypogammaglobulinemia and predominantly CD4⁺ lymphocytopenia. Here, we present 3 case reports of patients with secondary immunodeficiency after the Fontan operation. The severity of hypogammaglobulinemia correlated with the nature of the infectious complications; however, clinical manifestations of T cell deficiency such as severe viral or opportunistic infections were not observed. The clinical consequences of the secondary combined immunodeficiency were modified by immunoglobulin replacement treatment and antibiotic prophylaxis. Heart transplantation led to the resolution of PLE signs and the restitution of IgG levels in 1 transplanted patient. Our experience shows that the immunological follow-up was delayed in all 3 patients. We suggest that all patients should be followed regularly by a clinical immunologist after the Fontan surgery.

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Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions can play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We tested 71 patients (median age 5 years) with AD for hypersensitivity to grass and birch pollen, , and using atopy patch test (APT), skin prick test (SPT), and specific IgE measurement. The sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of the tests were calculated on the basis of personal history of AD exacerbation, clinical AD score (SCORAD) changes, and the number of days with need for topical anti-inflammatory treatment (AITD) in relation to exposure to the allergens being tested. APT was positive in 45 patients, mostly to (=37). SPT and/or specific IgE were positive in 42 subjects, in most cases to grass and birch pollen (=29). SE of APT reached 33%-56% for history, 33% for SCORAD, and 0%-60% for AITD; SP of APT was comparable for all three assessment standards (history, SCORAD, and AITD) (48%-67%). SE of SPT/specific IgE was higher for history (26%-63%) than for the other two standards of assessment (0%-67%); SP of SPT/specific IgE was also highest for history (69%-91%), and lower for SCORAD (59%-87%) and AITD (65%-80%). AD is often associated with hypersensitivity; its influence on AD, however, is clinically significant only in a minor group of patients. While personal history and SCORAD changes present themselves as possible standards in the evaluation of clinically relevant hypersensitivity in AD patients, the anti-inflammatory treatment days (AITD) appears to be unsuitable for this purpose.