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Resource recovery of the slurry in septic tanks around the cities should be a promising and sustainable approach. However, the amorphous form of the slurry and safety of use put a big challenge on land use of the wastes. This study aimed to transform the slurry into sanitary, nutrient-rich granules and assess the environmental and health risks from land use in agriculture. The granules' impact on soil fertility, plant growth, heavy metal accumulation, pathogenic bacteria and soil bacterial communities was evaluated in field experiments with radish as a test crop. The granules were found to be rich in essential nutrients and hygienically safe; Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations were much lower than regulatory limits for land use of sewage sludge. Cd, Hg, As, and Cr were not detected in granules. Application of granules at 30 t/ha and 60 t/ha significantly improved soil quality and increased crop yield by up to 176 ± 14 %. The supplement ratio was significantly negatively correlated with the soil bulk density and positively correlated with the soil porosity, organic matter, and humus in soil. Heavy metals in crops remained within safe limits, with minor variations observed. Soil porosity, ammonium nitrogen, and organic matter were the main environmental factors driving bacterial community differences and causing significant shifts towards beneficial bacterial families, enhancing soil health by suppressing harmful pathogens. This research underscores the potential of septic tank slurry granules to improve soil quality and support sustainable land use, offering valuable insights for urban waste management strategies. [Display omitted] • Septic tank slurry was successfully converted into sanitary, nutrient-rich granules. • The field use of the granules notably improved soil fertility and physical properties. • Environmental and health risks from the sustainable land use of granules were discussed. • Heavy metals in granules had little effect on the soil and plants after land use of granules. • Bacterial communities shifted to beneficial bacteria, boosting soil health by reducing pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • This study is the first to investigate the function of TREM-1 in neuroinflammation induced by TBI. • We found that inhibition of TREM-1 reduced brain edema, decreased mNSS and improved neurobehavioral outcomes after TBI. We also determined inhibition of TREM-1 alleviated neuroinflammation, which was associated with SYK/p38MAPK signaling pathway. • It suggest that TREM-1 may be a potential therapeutic target to alleviate neuroinflammation after TBI. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), as a major public health problem, is characterized by high incidence rate, disability rate, and mortality rate. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of TBI. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is recognized as an amplifier of the inflammation in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the function of TREM-1 remains unclear post-TBI. This study aimed to investigate the function of TREM-1 in neuroinflammation induced by TBI. Brain water content (BWC), modified neurological severity score (mNSS), and Morris Water Maze (MWM) were measured to evaluate the effect of TREM-1 inhibition on nervous system function and outcome after TBI. TREM-1 expression in vivo was evaluated by Western blotting. The cellular localization of TREM-1 in the damaged region was observed via immunofluorescence staining. We also conducted Western blotting to examine expression of SYK, p-SYK and other downstream proteins. We found that inhibition of TREM-1 reduced brain edema, decreased mNSS and improved neurobehavioral outcomes after TBI. It was further determined that TREM-1 was expressed on microglia and modulated subtype transition of microglia. Inhibition of TREM-1 alleviated neuroinflammation, which was associated with SYK/p38MAPK signaling pathway. These findings suggest that TREM-1 can be a potential clinical therapeutic target for alleviating neuroinflammation after TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a significant potential demand around the world for a flexible product to manage individual longevity risk. However, annuity markets remain thin, driven by factors including lack of pricing transparency, high product loadings, bequest motives, loss aversion, and the difficulty to hedge the risk. This paper proposes an individual retirement product to allow flexible management of longevity risk. The product combines a lifetime income with a flexible death benefit to meet individual bequest needs. It also benefits the issuers by lower mortality risk due to the natural hedging, and thus lower capital cost as a risk margin. We apply actuarial models that provide transparent pricing for interest rate and mortality risk, the construction of immunized bond portfolios, and the determination of a loading and solvency margin for systematic longevity risk. We also quantify the natural hedging benefits arising from the flexible inclusion of both survival benefits and death benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the effects of computerized cognitive training on the cognitive functions of stroke patients. Background: With increased publications on computerized cognitive training, a meta‐analysis is essential to determine the effects of computerized cognitive training among stroke patients. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled studies. Data Sources: Cochrane Library, Pubmed, EBSCO, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc and Wanfang Database were explored to search for research studies from inception to January 2020. Review Methods: Six outcomes indicators were considered to determine the effects of computerized cognitive training. Two reviewers were selected to search and independently appraise the available articles from various databases. Meta‐analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 622 patients with 17 studies were included. Computerized cognitive training significantly improves global cognition, working memory, attention and executive function of stroke patients. However, there was inadequate evidence to demonstrate any effects of computerized cognitive training on activities of daily living and depression. Conclusion: Computerized cognitive training improves the cognitive functions of stroke patients. However, further research studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in activities of daily living as well as on alleviating depression. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Stroke commonly results in health impairments, particularly on cognitive functions, activities of daily living and depression, which may have a negative impact on a patient's quality of life.Previous studies indicated that computerized cognitive training is a safe and efficacious intervention for improving the cognition of older patients with dementia.Little is known about the efficacy of computerized cognitive training on improving cognitive functions, activities of daily living and depression among stroke patients. What this paper adds? Computerized cognitive training significantly improves global cognition, working memory, attention and executive function among stroke patients compared with control groups.No statistically significant effects were found on activities of daily living and depression.Subgroup analysis indicated that 4 and 12 weeks of medium‐high intensity computerized cognitive training showed significant improvement on global cognition for stroke patients. The implications of this paper: Healthcare providers should recognize the efficacy of computerized cognitive training on the cognitive rehabilitation of stroke patients.Cognitive outcome measurements vary between studies and further appraisal of reliability and validity is essential to avoid reporting bias and to validate research trials with uniform neuropsychological measurements.Further clinical trials are required with large samples and long‐term follow‐up of interventions and reporting adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]