The global issue of pollution caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been gaining increasing attention. Among the EDCs of environmental concern, 17β-estradiol (E2) can produce the strongest estrogenic effects when it enters the organism exogenously through various routes and has the potential to cause harm, including malfunctions of the endocrine system and development of growth and reproductive disorders in humans and animals. Additionally, in humans, supraphysiological levels of E2 have been associated with a range of E2-dependent disorders and cancers. To ensure environmental safety and prevent potential risks of E2 to human and animal health, it is crucial to develop rapid, sensitive, low cost and simple approaches for detecting E2 contamination in the environment. A planar microwave sensor for E2 sensing is presented based on the integration of a microstrip transmission line (TL) loaded with a Peano fractal geometry with a narrow slot complementary split-ring resonator (PF-NSCSRR) and a microfluidic channel. The proposed technique offers a wide linear range for detecting E2, ranging from 0.001 to 10 mM, and can achieve high sensitivity with small sample volumes and simple operation methods. The proposed microwave sensor was validated through simulations and empirical measurements within a frequency range of 0.5–3.5 GHz. The E2 solution was delivered to the sensitive area of the sensor device via a microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel with an area of 2.7 mm² and sample value of 1.37 µL and measured by a proposed sensor. The injection of E2 into the channel resulted in changes in the transmission coefficient (S₂₁) and resonance frequency (F_r), which can be used as an indicator of E₂ levels in solution. The maximum quality factor of 114.89 and the maximum sensitivity based on S₂₁ and F_r at a concentration of 0.01 mM were 1746.98 dB/mM and 40 GHz/mM, respectively. Upon comparing the proposed sensor with the original Peano fractal geometry with complementary split-ring (PF-CSRR) sensors without a narrow slot, several parameters were evaluated, including sensitivity, quality factor, operating frequency, active area, and sample volume. The results showed that the proposed sensor exhibited an increased sensitivity of 6.08% and had a 40.72% higher quality factor, while the operating frequency, active area, and sample volume showed decreases of 1.71%, 25%, and 28.27%, respectively. The materials under tests (MUTs) were analyzed and categorized into groups using principal component analysis (PCA) with a K-mean clustering algorithm. The proposed E2 sensor has a compact size and simple structure that can be easily fabricated with low-cost materials. With the small sample volume requirement, fast measurement with a wide dynamic range, and a simple protocol, this proposed sensor can also be applied to measure high E2 levels in environmental, human, and animal samples.

Background: Polysaccharides from the medicinal mushroom Phellinus rimosus (Berk.) Pilát (PR) are the major functional bioactive ingredients. However, there has been a marked natural decrease in the number of PR fruit bodies, leading to their increased cost. Moreover, the natural growth and development of mature PR fruit bodies takes several decades. Objective: The objective of this study was to produce a polysaccharide extract from cultured PR mycelia (PEPRM) by using ultrasonic-assisted extraction with response surface methodology (RSM), and determine its physicochemical composition and antioxidant potential. Methods: Polysaccharide and monosaccharide composition analyses were carried out by Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total contents of polysaccharides, beta-glucans, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids were investigated utilizing the phenol-sulfuric acid method, enzymatic-based commercial test kit, Folin-Ciocalteu method, and aluminium chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and 2,2- azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazol-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay. Results: Optimal conditions for the production of PEPRM included a ratio of 51.29 mL water to 1 g PR mycelia and an extraction time of 46.23 minutes, resulting in a total polysaccharide content of 577.5 mg/g of PEPRM. FT-IR spectra of PEPRM showed two broad bands at 3272.08 cm-1 and 2924.8 cm-1 in the carbohydrate region and the peaks at 1078.44, 1019.05, and 853.0 cm-1 indicated the presence of the pyranose ring skeleton, glycosidic linkage, and glucans. PEPRM had molar ratios of glucose: mannose: rhamnose: fucose, i.e., 21.86: 1.00: 2.08: 3.40, respectively. PEPRM had total contents of beta-glucans, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids as percentages of dry weight, i.e., 21.22, 2.51, and 5.71, respectively. PEPRM showed better inhibitory activity against ABTS radicals than DPPH radicals. result: Optimal conditions for the production of PEPRM were a ratio of 51.29 ml water to 1 g PR mycelia and extraction time of 46.23 min, yielding a total polysaccharide content of 577.5 mg/g of PEPRM. FT-IR spectra of PEPRM showed two broad bands at 3272.08 cm-1 and 2924.8 cm-1 in the carbohydrate region and the peaks at 1078.44, 1019.05, and 853.0 cm-1 indicated the presence of the pyranose ring skeleton, glycosidic linkage, and glucans. PEPRM had molar ratios of glucose: mannose: rhamnose: fucose, i.e., 21.86: 1.00: 2.08: 3.40, respectively. PEPRM had total contents of beta-glucan, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids as percentages of dry weight, i.e., 21.22, 2.51, and 5.71, respectively. PEPRM showed better inhibitory activity against ABTS radicals than DPPH radicals. Conclusion: This is the first finding to reveal that ultrasonic-assisted extraction with RSM was an environmentally friendly alternative to produce antioxidant polysaccharides from cultured PR mycelia. conclusion: This is the first finding to reveal that ultrasonic-assisted extraction with RSM was an environmentally friendly alternative to produce antioxidant polysaccharides from cultured PR mycelia.

Previous research has investigated the biological activities of equol (EQ), but no experiments have been carried out with positive estrogenic and anti-androgenic animal models to disclose the accurate biological actions of EQ in male rats. This research aimed to investigate the mechanisms of EQ action compared to estradiol valerate (E2V) and anti-androgenic drug flutamide (FLUT) on pituitary-testicular (PT) axis hormonal profiles, metabolic parameters, histopathological and histomorphological changes in male rat pituitary and reproductive organs, and fertility. Three-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12/group) were treated for five days with either EQ (0.25, 2.5, 30, 100, 250 mg/kg/day), E2V (0.6 mg/kg/day), or FLUT (100 mg/kg/day). Key findings revealed that EQ exerted estrogen agonism on PT axis and lipid parameters, resulting in upregulation of pituitary estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha protein expression and decreased levels of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), total cholesterol (TC), and lipoproteins, whereas FLUT had opposite effects. Underlying histopathological mechanisms involved in EQ and E2V versus FLUT actions on (i) reductions of seminal vesicle weight and epithelial thickness, tubular/acini, epithelial and luminal areas of prostate and epididymis, and vas deferens, (ii) changes in the frequency of seminiferous epithelial cycle stages, (iii) occurrence of germ cell debris in epididymal tubule, and (iv) enlargement of prostatic stroma, were different due to opposing changes in LH/T profiles, Leydig cell morphology, and relative weights of epididymides and vas deferens. EQ treatment did not result in detectable changes in pituitary cell nuclear size, hepatic injury, and infertility rate, suggesting the potential of EQ as a safe pituitary-ER alpha modulator for promoting beneficial effects on male rat reproductive endocrine and hepatic tissues.

Universities play a pivotal role in advancing global sustainability through education, impactful research, and environmentally responsible operations. This study evaluates the sustainability initiatives of Mahasarakham University (MSU) in alignment with the UI Green Metric World University Rankings criteria, with a particular focus on its performance in 2024. Since joining the rankings in 2011 with an initial total score of 4,781 points, MSU has steadily improved, achieving a total score of 8,475 points in 2024. The analysis examines three primary dimensions: the integration of sustainability into academic curricula, where sustainable courses increased to 55 programs out of 95 total offerings; the enhancement of sustainability-focused research, reflected in a 77% increase in related publications over the past three years; and the implementation of community engagement projects, which rose significantly from 44 projects in 2021 to 71 in 2023. The findings demonstrate MSU's consistent progress, with notable achievements in aligning its strategic plans with sustainability goals. However, challenges remain in optimizing resource allocation and expanding international collaborations. By synthesizing lessons learned and analyzing trends, this study identifies best practices and offers strategic recommendations for MSU and other institutions aspiring to excel in global sustainability benchmarks. The results underscore universities' essential role as catalysts for sustainable development, providing actionable insights into enhancing operational efficiency and academic contributions.