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This study aimed to analyze the incidence of subclinical rejection (SCR) in kidney transplantation patients and risk factors associated with SCR.We assessed 80 protocol biopsies taken within 2 years postoperatively in 41 adult patients who underwent living donor kidney transplantation between 2017 and 2020. All patients were on immunosuppressant therapy that included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids.The prevalence of Banff Borderline classification at 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation was 4%, 5%, and 8 %, respectively, whereas none of the biopsies met the Banff criteria for acute T cell-mediated rejection throughout the study period. Active antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) was only present in 8% of patients at 3 months after transplantation and chronic active ABMR at 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation was detected in 10%, 13%, and 11% of the patients, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that 50% of the 6 patients with preformed anti-donor specific antibodies (DSAs) developed clinical or subclinical active ABMR within 3 months after transplantation, followed by chronic active ABMR according to serial histologic assessment. Conversely, only a small proportion of patients (3%) without preformed DSAs exhibited clinically active ABMR.SCR occurs too infrequently in patients with low immunologic risk and strong contemporary immunosuppression therapy to justify the diagnostic effort of serial protocol biopsies. However, protocol biopsies remain an indispensable tool in renal transplant monitoring and may be especially important in immunologically high-risk patients with pre-existing DSAs.

Semen analysis has long been used to evaluate male fertility. Recently, several sperm function tests have been developed. Of those, the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), which describes the status of the sperm DNA, is thought to be a suitable parameter for evaluating male fertility. However, there have been no large-scale studies on the sperm DFI of Japanese men. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of using an in-house flow cytometry-based sperm DFI analysis based on the sperm DNA fragmentation test of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) to assess male fertility in Japan. This study enrolled 743 infertile and 20 fertile Japanese men. To evaluate reproducibility, inter- and intraobserver precision was analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to set a cutoff value for the sperm DFI to identify men who could father children by timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination. The variability of the sperm DFI among fertile volunteers was determined. The relationship between semen parameters and the sperm DFI was assessed by Spearman's rho test. A precision analysis revealed good reproducibility of the sperm DFI. The cutoff value of sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men was 24.0%. Semen volume had no relationship with the sperm DFI. Sperm concentration, sperm motility, total motile sperm count, and percentage of normal-shaped sperm were significantly and negatively correlated with the sperm DFI. The median sperm DFI was smaller in fertile volunteers (7.7%) than that in infertile men (19.4%). Sperm DNA fragmentation analysis can be used to assess sperm functions that cannot be evaluated by ordinary semen analysis.

This study aimed to assess outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MD-TESE) and identify predictors for sperm retrieval (SR) in patients with non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome (NM-KFS). We retrospectively evaluated 37 patients with NM-KFS who underwent MD-TESE. Data of age at operation, body mass index (BMI), testicular volume, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), preoperative and postoperative testosterone levels with reduction ratio between the two values, and FSH/preoperative testosterone ratio were analysed. These patients were divided into two groups according to success or failure of SR: the successful and failure groups. Factors related to SR were evaluated by statistical analyses using the Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression modelling. Regarding these factors, the cut-off level was specified using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Moreover, the percentage of SR at that level was assessed. A simple scoring model was developed based on the multivariate analysis. Fourteen patients underwent successful SR, whereas 23 experienced failure SR. Statistical analysis found preoperative testosterone and FSH levels to be significant factors associated with SR. On the ROC curve, the cut-off levels for preoperative testosterone and FSH were 2.34 ng/ml and 33.2 mIU/ml respectively. A new scoring model was developed, consisting of preoperative testosterone (≥2.34 ng/ml) and FSH (≤33.2 mIU/ml). The sperm retrieval rates (SRRs) were clearly discriminated by stratification according to the scoring model. The SRR of the cases of scores of 2, 1 and 0 were 87.5%, 31.6% and 10% respectively. At our hospital, the SRR of MD-TESE in patients with NM-KFS was 37.8%. The patients with high testosterone and low FSH levels tended to demonstrate successful SR.

Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy（LDN）has become a standard procedure, and transperitoneal LDN is now performed at many centers. Since 2001, we have been developing a retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy（RPLDN）technique that allows LDN to be performed by a direct retroperitoneal approach that does not interfere with the abdominal organs. In this study, we examined the operating time, blood loss, total and warm ischemic times（TIT, WIT）, length of stay, number and length of renal arteries and vessels, graft function, and complications in 54 kidney donors（19 men, 35 women；mean age 57.1±11.8 years）who underwent living donor kidney transplantation with allografts obtained by RPLDN. Mean follow-up was 16.8 months. Donor nephrectomy was successful in all patients. Fifteen kidneys had ≥ 2 renal arteries. The complication rate was 5.6％. There were no serious complications. Ureteral complications occurred in four recipients, who were successfully treated by retrograde ureteral stent placement. Mean TIT was 87.7 min and mean WIT was 4.7 min. Mean serum creatinine levels in recipients were 3.5, l.5, and 1.4 mg/dL on postoperative days 1, 7, and 14, respectively. Slow graft function was noted in four cases（7.4％）, which normalized within 2 weeks of surgery. One-year donor survival was 100％ and 1-year graft survival was 98.1％. All RPLDNs were well tolerated and the impact on recipient graft function was excellent. RPLDN could be an option for LDN.

Objectives To evaluate whether the long-term usage of mirabegron, which was reported to have potential side effects on male reproductive organs in animal studies, was harmful to spermatogenesis in human testis. Methods Thirty consecutive patients with spinal cord injury (20-48 years old) who performed clean intermittent catheterization were involved in this study. Ten patients were treated with mirabegron (50 mg/d) for more than 2 years and refrained from using an antimuscarinic agent due to the side effects of constipation and dry mouth. Twenty patients were treated with neither anticholinergic agents nor mirabegron. All underwent conventional testicular sperm extraction. The sperm recovery rate and histopathologic findings of the retrieved testicular tissue were compared between both groups. Results We found no difference in the sperm recovery rate (P = .083) between both groups. Spinal cord injury patients treated with mirabegron had better spermatogenesis than those not treated with mirabegron (P Conclusions From these data, we conclude that the therapeutic dose of mirabegron had no harmful effect on spermatogenesis in spinal cord injury patients of reproductive age.

Background/aim Curcumin is a natural compound of turmeric, which inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation. This study examined whether treatment of LNCaP prostate cancer cells with the combination of curcumin and dutasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, affect proliferation and the amount of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Materials and methods LNCaP Cells were incubated with curcumin or the combination of curcumin and dutasteride and cell proliferation was measured at 72 h. LC-MS/MS was used to determine testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in prostate cancer cells. Results Curcumin combined with dutasteride suppressed proliferation and affected apoptosis of LNCaP cells. The combination of curcumin and dutasteride also reduced the amount of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in LNCaP cells. The secretion of prostate-specific antigen was inhibited by the combination treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Treatment with the combination of curcumin and dutasteride may interfere with the intra-tumoral androgen activity.

Sub-µm CaCO3 (calcite; CC) particles were converted to calcium monohydrogenphosphate dihydrate (DCPD) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) via soaking treatments in K2HPO4 solutions with varied pH (3–12) and concentrations (0.1–1.5 M) at 37°C for up to 10 days. DCPD was derived from the solutions with pH ≤ 6; while hollow HAp was yielded when pH ≥ 7 in assemblies of petal-like crystallites. Results of magic angle spinning (MAS) and cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR studies have shown that the HAp lattice has only PO4 2− but no HPO4 2− at B (phosphate) sites. Trace amounts of CO3 2− have occupied both A (OH) and B (PO4) sites, and H2O is adsorbed on surface crystallites. The primary crystallite size of HAp derived from Scherrer equation increases quickly in a 12 h period and becomes gradually stable afterward. Samples of particles soaked within 3 h in a temperature range of 20–80°C were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the rate constant of 1 M solution is about an order of magnitude greater than that of 0.1 M solution and the apparent activation energy is 33 kJ/mol. In this work, the conversion of CC to HAp can be quantitatively controlled to solve the problem of slow degradation of HAp.

In situ anatase thin film with high percentage exposure of {001} facet was fabricated on titanium substrate via one-step hydrothermal method at low temperature from the precursor solution of (NH4)2TiF6 and HF. Nano-inverted bipyramid arrays densely covered the whole surface on as-treated Ti substrate. The structural analysis clearly indicated that as-deposited thin film only consisted of anatase TiO2 single crystal with preferred oriented {001} facets. According to the XRD patterns of as-treated anatase thin film, the integral intensity ratio of (004) to (101) peaks was as high as 7.5 which was remarkably higher than the standard value 0.18. Based on the experimental results, the growth pattern and bonding strength of nano-structural array with high percentage exposure of anatase {001} facet on Ti substrate were discussed. The biocompatibility results demonstrated that MC3T3-E1 cells grown on the as-treated Ti sheet exhibited positive effect on the cell proliferation and significantly high gene expression of ALP, COL-1, BMP-2, OPN and RUNX2 due to its specific property of the surface. Hence, the in situ anatase thin film with high percentage exposure of {001} facet was expected to achieve satisfactory primary stability for osseointegration. In situ fabrication of anatase TiO2 nano-inverted bipyramid arrays with high percentage exposure of {001} facet

Titanium alloy is widely applied in aerospace, medical, shipping and other fields due to its high specific strength and low density. The purpose of this study was to analyze the formability of Ti6Al4V alloys at elevated temperatures. An accurate constitutive model is the basic condition for accurately simulating the plastic forming of materials, and it is an important basis for optimizing the parameters of the hot forging forming process. In this study, the optimization algorithm was used to accurately identify the high-temperature constitutive model parameters of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy, and the hot working diagram was established to optimize the hot forming process parameters. The optimal forming conditions of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy are given. Ti6Al4V alloy was subjected to high-temperature compression tests at 800–1000 °C and at strain rates of 0.01–5 s−1 on a Gleeble-1500D thermal/mechanical simulation machine. Each parameter of the Hansel–Spittel constitutive model was taken as an independent variable, and the accumulated error between the stress calculated by the constitutive model and the stress obtained by experimentation was used as an objective function. Based on response surface methodology, an inverse optimization method for identifying the parameters of the high-temperature constitutive model of Ti6Al4V alloy is proposed in this paper. An orthogonal test design was adopted to obtain sample point data, and a third-order response surface approximate model was established. The genetic algorithm (GA) was applied to reversely optimize the parameters of the constitutive model. To verify the accuracy of the optimized constitutive model, the average absolute relative error (AARE) and correlation coefficient (R) were used to evaluate the reliability of optimized constitutive model. The R value of the model was 0.999, and the AARE value was 0.048, respectively, indicating that the established high-temperature constitutive model for Ti6Al4V alloy has good calculation accuracy. The flow stress behavior of the material could be accurately delineated. Meanwhile, in order to study the formability of Ti6Al4V alloy, the hot processing map of the alloy, based on a dynamic material model, was established in this paper. The optimum hot working domains of the Ti6Al4V alloy were determined within 840–920 °C/0.01–0.049 s−1 and 940–980 °C/0.11–1.65 s−1; the hot processing map was verified in combination with the microstructure, and the fine and equiaxed grains and a large amount of β phase could be found at 850 °C/0.01 s−1.

Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility. It is reported that low sperm concentration, motility and morphology are indicative of increased sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in men with varicocele. Although research has been conducted into the relationship between varicocele and DFI, little is known about seminal oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in varicocele patients. We assessed the relationship between varicocele with seminal ORP and sperm DFI in both fertile and infertile men. This prospective case-control study compared the findings from infertile men with varicocele to those of men with normal spermatogenesis without varicocele. Semen samples were collected and assessed using the WHO (2010) guidelines. ORP was measured (mV) and normalized to sperm concentration (mV/10

Conversion of calcium carbonate (calcite; CC) to hydroxyapatite (HAp) was examined when the CC particles of sub μm size were soaked at 37 °C for up to 10 d in 0.15 M K2HPO4 (20 ml), whose pH was set to 3–12. Here, the solution contained amino acids, such as glutamine (Glu), arginine (Arg), and glycine (Gly), and their content varied from 0–1.0 g per ml of solution. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD) intensity of the 104 and 211 diffractions of calcite and apatite, respectively, it was seen that the presence of the amino acids promoted the conversion. This was supported by the thermogravimetry (TG) results. The highest promotion was observed at 0.5 g addition of amino acids to the phosphate solution, while Glu showed the highest promotion among the amino acids and Gly the lowest. A scanning electron microscopy study indicated that petal-like HAp nano-crystallites covered the entire surface of the CC particles when they were soaked in the phosphate solution with 0.1 g or more of amino acid for 10 d. The XRD intensity ratio 104(CC)/211(HAp) indicated greater CC to HAp conversion in the solutions at pH 3 and 6 than in the more alkaline solutions. This was attributed to the dissolution of CC in the acidic solutions, which was confirmed by bubbling in these solutions.

Silica nanotubes with controllable size were synthesized as the electrospun silk fibroin/gelatin composite nanofibers as novel sacrificial template were firstly coated with silica in the Stober-type sol-gel precursor and then burned out at 600 °C. The aqueous stability of composite nanofibers was much better than that of gelatin nanofibers due to the presence of silk fibroin. FT-IR spectrum showed that silica nanotubes had the strong adsorption band at 1115 cm−1 for Si–O–Si groups. TEM observation showed that the diameter of silica nanotubes could be controlled from 225 ± 11 nm to 470 ± 9 nm by tuning the silk fibroin/gelatin weight ratio from 1.25 to 2. After incubation with the osteoblast MG63 cells, silica nanotubes (0–200 μg/mL) had no significant cytotoxicity and presented excellent biocompatibility.

Petal-like titania layer was obtained on the 3D-printing 316L stainless steel substrate by two-step method at low temperature. Liquid phase deposition (LPD) method was used to prepare the fluorine-containing titania transition layer as step 1, not only improving the binding force with the substrate, but also contributing to the deposition of the second bioactive layer obtained by hydrothermal method in step 2. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and static state contact angle. The XRF result indicated that the fluorine could be effectively concealed by Petal-like layer in step 2. And the wettability test showed that the as-treated samples were hydrophilic. Furthermore, the calcium-deficient amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) layer was induced on the as-treated samples via being soaked in 1.5 times simulated body fluid (1.5SBF) solution within 3 days. Meanwhile, the biocompatibility results showed that the adhesion morphology and the quantity of osteoblasts on the sample treated by two-step method were better than the other sample groups. In a word, this two-step method is expected as a novel approach to improve the biocompatibility of the 3D-printing customized biomedical stainless steel.

High crystallinity anatase/rutile layers are prepared on the surface of commercially pure titanium (cpTi) by hydrothermal method at 160 °C for 3 h. The surface morphology of titania layers is changed by adjusting the pH value and Ti4+concentration of treating solution (TS). Obtained nanorods on all TS samples are composed of pure rutile and the anatase co-deposited with rutile is found in the dense bottom layer. The possible co-deposition mechanism of polymorphs layers is given in this study. In this study, the rutile nanorods array with high energy (101) facet exposed is found on the TS3 sample. In vitro apatite forming ability of the TS samples are confirmed by soaking them in Kokubo's simulated body fluid (SBF, pH 7.4, 36.5 °C) for 1 and 3 days. Results show that apatite particles could be obtained on all TS samples within 1 d. After 3 days' immersion in SBF, TS3 sample shows strongest apatite X-ray diffraction. These results indicate that the ability in inducing apatite on cpTi with TS3 treatment is excellent. Such excellent apatite-forming ability is ascribed to the existence of thick titania layer with high energy (101) facet exposed on the TS3 sample.

In order to avoid the stress shielding phenomenon in orthopedic bionic bone implantation, it is necessary to consider the design of mechanical compatible implants imitating the host bone. In this study, we developed a novel cancellous bone structure design method aimed at ensuring the mechanical compatibility between the bionic bone and human bone by means of computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis technology (specifically, finite element modeling (FEM)). An orthogonal lattice model with volume porosity between 59% and 96% was developed by means of CAD. The effective equivalent elastic modulus of a honeycomb structure with square holes was studied by FEM simulation. With the purpose of verifying the validity of the cancellous bone structure design method, the honeycomb structure was fabricated by selective laser sintering (SLS) and the actual equivalent elastic modulus of the honeycomb structure was measured with a uniaxial compression test. The experimental results were compared with the FEM values and the predicted values. The results showed that the stiffness values of the designed structures were within the acceptable range of human cancellous bone of 50–500 MPa, which was similar to the stiffness values of human vertebrae L1 and L5. From the point of view of mechanical strength, the established cellular model can effectively match the elastic modulus of human vertebrae cancellous bone. The functional relationship between the volume porosity of the nylon square-pore honeycomb structure ranging from 59% to 96% and the effective elastic modulus was established. The effect of structural changes related to the manufacture of honeycomb structures on the equivalent elastic modulus of honeycomb structures was studied quantitatively by finite element modeling.

Current apheresis or blood purification practices depend primarily on polymer systems that enable filtering and adsorbing pathogenic substances in blood: the latter consist of base polymer-based carriers and active ligands. However, some ceramic materials, such as silica, titania, and hydroxyapatite, are known to be blood compatible. The research on their use for apheresis is very small in comparison to the polymer systems, but the ceramic-based materials have been steadily discussed until now. This article aims to provide some feasible ideas and strategies together with their microstructures for further apheresis applications. After blood clotting pathways and apheresis practice, several blood-compatible materials in the form of particles, coatings (layers), and macrospheres are introduced. In addition, the materials for stent applications are also mentioned because the highest blood compatibility is demanded. Examples of bilirubin, b2-microglobulin (B2M), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lysozyme (LYZ) adsorption on titania gel particles, Zn-substituted hydroxyapatite, and so-gel derived silica macrospheres are presented.

The risk of a gonadal tumor is high in testicular disorder of sexual development (DSD) with the Y chromosome, but cases of DSD without the Y chromosome are extremely rare. We reported a gonadal tumor in a phenotypically male individual with 46, XX testicular DSD. A testicular tumor was incidentally found in a 32-year-old phenotypic male who was presented to the hospital with male infertility. A diagnosis of 46, XX testicular DSD was made by the presentation of karyotype analysis of 46, XX with the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) positive and gonadal tissue without female gonads. Surgery was performed due to a gradually growing tumor. The partial orchidectomy was performed with the diagnosis of a benign Leydig cell tumor in frozen biopsy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males and plays an important role in the development of the penis and testes, muscle size, bone growth, sex drive, and sperm prod...

The majority of facilities in Japan that offer artificial insemination as part of assisted reproduction programs currently perform semen collection in the early morning. The total motile sperm count of the semen used in intrauterine insemination is an important factor in achieving successful fertilization and subsequent childbirth. The present study was initiated to determine whether semen parameters varied with the time of day at which the semen sample was collected. The study subjects were 20 fertile males and 20 infertile males with abnormal seminograms who attended our Reproduction Center. Semen was collected early in the morning (morning collection group) and in the evening (evening collection group) from the same subjects, and total motile sperm count was assessed as the primary outcome measure. As secondary outcome measures, semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and total sperm count were assessed. A sexual abstinence period of 3 days was set for all participants. The semen samples were analyzed using CASA CEROS, a sperm motility analysis system, and the data from the morning and evening collection groups were compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. We found that the fertile males had a significantly higher total motile sperm count and total sperm count in the evening collection group than in the morning collection group. In contrast, the male infertility patients showed no significant difference in total sperm count between the two collection times; however, the total motile sperm count was significantly higher in the evening collection group than the morning collection group. Our analyses indicate that total motile sperm count in ejaculated semen is significantly higher after evening collection than after morning collection. From a male side perspective, we suggest that successful intrauterine insemination might be easier to achieve using semen collected in the evening than in the early morning.

Highly-ordered nanoleaf sodium titanate were successfully synthesized on high-purity titanium surface by catalyst oxidation method. Sodium metaborate powder was coated on titanium substrates, heated in an electric furnace at 650°C for 5 hours and then subjected to a water bath rinse. The structure and morphology of oxide coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the fabricated coatings were composed of rutile and sodium titanium, providing the excellent biocompatibility and nanoscale even gap structure between bamboo-shaped sodium titanate. The mechanism about the growth of highly-ordered nanoleaf sodium titanate also discussed in the current work.

Ag-Co alloy films were fabricated at room temperature by magnetron sputtering. The results revealed that a large amount of polyhedral single-crystal Ag nanoparticles grow on the surface of Ag-Co alloy films, which is significantly different from the microstructure of Ag-Co alloy films on rigid substrates. Furthermore, after annealing, Ag atoms get enough energy to move toward the film surface and thus the mass and average size of Ag particles both increase with the increase of annealing temperatures. In addition, the average size of Ag particles decreases with the increase of annealing time but the particles per square micron increases. Amorphous Co is observed in the Ag-Co films and Ag grains in Ag-Co films become smaller, which indicates the growth of Ag grains is inhibited by Co. A new type of Ag particles / Ag-Co films with a convex structure is obtained and applied as SERS substrates, where the characteristic Raman spectra of 5 × 10−12 M R6G could be detected.

A 73‐year‐old woman with essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus abruptly developed astasia. There were no other neurological abnormalities. Cranial diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a localized infarction in the right‐sided suprathalamic white matter. Under antiplatelet agent and rehabilitation, the patient became asymptomatic within 4 days. This is a first reported case of isolated astasia due to a suprathalamic white matter infarction. We speculated that disruption of the connection from the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus to the posterior cingulate gyrus and/or supplementary motor area might cause astasia.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a skin disease characterized by an unknown neutrophilic infiltration in dermis and a nonbacterial destructive ulcer. Post-operative PG is an extremely rare type that occurs around surgical sites during the immediate post-operative period. It is usually diagnosed as surgical site infection at the time of presentation. The condition rapidly worsens despite antibiotic treatment and debridement. We report on a case of post-operative PG in a 64-year-old man after radical prostatectomy. Following the operation, redness and pus from surgical site rapidly progress although repeated antibiotic therapy and debridement were performed. Although the patient received appropriate debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, the ulcerative lesion spread surrounding drain region and the condition of the skin region deteriorated. The diagnosis of PG was made by a skin biopsy that presented only neutrophilic invasion in the dermis without vasculitis, tumor, or malignancy. Finally, the patient died of lesion progression in whole body and multiple organ dysfunction. Considering PG along with ulcers, wounds, and post-operative complications is critical for prompt diagnosis and proper treatment.

Microporous spheres in a hybrid system consisting of chitosan and &gamma, glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) have advantages in a range of applications, e.g., as vehicles for cell transplantation and soft tissue defect filling materials, because of their excellent cytocompatibility with various cells. In this study, microporous chitosan-GPTMS spheres were prepared by dropping chitosan-GPTMS precursor sols, with or without a cerium chloride, into liquid nitrogen using a syringe pump. The droplets were then freeze dried to give the pores of size 10 to 50 &mu, m. The cell culture tests showed that L929 fibroblast-like cells migrated into the micropores larger than 50 &mu, m in diameter, whereas MG63 osteoblast-like cells proliferated well and covered the granule surfaces. The spheres with cerium chloride showed antibacterial properties against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.