Microplastic pollution is becoming a major challenge with the growing use of plastic. In recent years, research about microplastic pollution in the environment has become a field of study with increased interest, with ever expanding findings on sources, sinks and pathways of microplastics. Wastewater treatment plants effectively remove microplastics from wastewater and concentrate them in sewage sludge which is often used to fertilise agricultural fields. Despite this, quantification of microplastic pollution in agricultural fields through the application of sewage sludge is largely unknown. In light of this issue, four wastewater treatment plants and 16 agricultural fields (0-8 sewage sludge applications of 20-22 tons ha-1 per application), located in the east of Spain, were sampled. Microplastics were extracted using a floatation and filtration method, making a distinction between light density microplastics (ρ  1 g cm-3). Sewage sludge, on average, had a light density plastic load of 18,000 ± 15,940 microplastics kg-1 and a heavy density plastic load of 32,070 ± 19,080 microplastics kg-1. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/px-12.html Soils without addition of sewage sludge had an average light density plastic load of 930 ± 740 microplastics kg-1 and a heavy density plastic load of 1100 ± 570 microplastics kg-1. Soils with addition of sewage sludge had an average light density plastic load of 2130 ± 950 microplastics kg-1 and a heavy density plastic load of 3060 ± 1680 microplastics kg-1. On average, soils' plastic loads increased by 280 light density microplastics kg-1 and 430 heavy density microplastics kg-1 with each successive application of sewage sludge, indicating that sewage sludge application results in accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils. In this paper, the effects of 100 mM NaCl and NaHCO3 stress on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and physiological and proteomic aspects of ROS metabolism in mulberry seedling leaves were studied. The results showed that NaCl stress had little effect on photosynthesis and respiration of mulberry seedling leaves. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the expression of related proteins in leaves increased by varying degrees, and accumulation of superoxide anion (O2·-) not observed. Under NaHCO3 stress, photosynthesis and respiration were significantly inhibited, while the rate of O2·- production rate and H2O2 content increased. The activity of catalase (CAT) and the expression of CAT (W9RJ43) increased under NaCl stress. In response to NaHCO3 stress, the activity and expression of CAT were significantly decreased, but the ability of H2O2 scavenging of peroxidase (POD) was enhanced. The ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle in mulberry seedling leaves was enhancement in both NaCl and NaHCO3 stress. The express and in turn, the oxidative damage to mulberry seedling leaves could not be reduced. Earthworms as ecosystem engineers partially improve soil properties by egesting casts. Our previous study confirmed that soil pollution affects the physico-chemical properties of earthworm casts. It is still unclear whether the biological properties (e.g. cellulase, urease, and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as microbial biomass carbon) of casts are affected by foreign substances in soil. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of phenanthrene (PHE) on the biological characteristics of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) casts. Furthermore, correlations between cast properties and the digestive and antioxidant systems were explored by the determination of digestive enzyme (urease, protease, acid and alkaline phosphatase) activities, antioxidant indexes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD)], as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Exposure at a range of PHE doses (0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg-1) for 15 d resulted in the following observations (1) Compared with urlogical properties of casts, by partially affecting the earthworm's digestive and antioxidant systems. This study advances our knowledge of earthworm ecology in polluted soil by providing a better understanding of their ecological functions. INTRODUCTION Although hydatid cysts can affect any organ in the body, reports regarding affection of thyroid gland are scanty in the literature. This report aims to present a case of thyroid hydatid disease with literature review. CASE REPORT A 48-year-old female presented with painless anterior neck mass of about 2 year duration. There was an ill-defined, central anterior neck mass, with a smooth surface and mobile with deglutition. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland revealed an enlarged left lobe of thyroid gland due to well defined thick wall cystic nodule. The patient underwent left thyroid lobectomy under general anesthesia, the pathology report revealed hydatid cyst of thyroid gland. DISCUSSION Liver and lungs are often the end destination for hydatid cysts, while other places like mediastinum, diaphragm, cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles, abdominal and chest walls are rarely involved. In this case, the cyst affected even a rarer organ which was the left lobe of thyroid gland. Most of the time the disease is asymptomatic and is found accidentally, yet depending on the site and size of the cysts, symptoms can occur. CONCLUSION Hydatid disease of thyroid gland is an extremely rare condition. The main presenting symptom is swelling. Operation under general anesthesia is the only modality of treatment. OBJECTIVE Many children experience tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and parents may take preventive measures to reduce TSE. The study goal is to assess if these strategies are associated with lower cotinine values, an objective biological measure of TSE. METHODS Families admitted to Children's Hospital Colorado from 2014-2018 who screened positive for TSE were invited to participate in a tobacco smoking cessation/reduction program. Caregivers were consented and asked about demographics, beliefs around smoking, and strategies to reduce TSE. Child urine samples were collected, tested for cotinine levels, and analyzed using geometric means. Bi-variable comparisons and multivariable linear regression were completed using SAS v9.4. RESULTS 213 children (81.4%) are included in this analysis. The median ages of children and parents were 4 and 32 years. 57% of children were male, 36% were Hispanic, and 55% were white. 56% of parents had at least some college education and 69% had an annual income less than $50K. The median daily cigarettes smoked per day was 10.