Calcium-to-phosphorus releasing ratio affects osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity of calcium phosphate bioceramics in bone tissue engineering.

Calcium phosphate (Ca-P) bioceramics, including hydroxyapatite (HA), biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), and beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), have been widely used in bone reconstruction. Many studies have focused on the osteoconductivity or osteoinductivity of Ca-P bioceramics, but the association between osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity is not well understood. In our study, the osteoconductivity of HA, BCP, and ß-TCP was investigated based on the osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and in situ as well as calvarial defect repair in vivo, and osteoinductivity was evaluated by using pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and heterotopic ossification in muscles in vivo. Our results showed that the cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, and expression of osteogenesis-related genes, including osteocalcin (Ocn), bone sialoprotein (Bsp), alpha-1 type I collagen (Col1a1), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), of osteoblasts each ranked as BCP > ß-TCP > HA, but the alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of osteogenic differentiation genes of MSCs each ranked as ß-TCP > BCP > HA. Calvarial defect implantation of Ca-P bioceramics ranked as BCP > ß-TCP ≥ HA, but intramuscular implantation ranked as ß-TCP ≥ BCP > HA in vivo. Further investigation indicated that osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity are affected by the Ca/P ratio surrounding the Ca-P bioceramics. Thus, manipulating the appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus releasing ratio is a critical factor for determining the osteoinductivity of Ca-P bioceramics in bone tissue engineering.

The Effects of Angiosome Morphology on Choke Vessels and Flap Necrosis in a Rat Multiterritory Perforator Flap.

BACKGROUND: Although the angiosome concept has been proposed for a long time, very few studies have been done on its morphology. Our study investigated the effects of angiosome morphology on choke vessels and flap necrosis in a rat multiterritory perforator flap. METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24/group). The flap contained the right iliolumbar, posterior intercostal, and thoracodorsal angiosomes (TDAVs), termed angiosomes I, II, and III, respectively. Only the posterior intercostal artery and iliolumbar vein were preserved in group 1, whereas only the posterior intercostal artery and vein were preserved in group 2, and only the posterior intercostal artery and thoracodorsal vein were preserved in group 3. Distances from angiosome II to angiosome I (II-I), angiosome II to angiosome III (II-III), angiosome I to the caudal side of the flap (I-caudal), and angiosome III to the cranial side of the flap (III-cranial) were measured. Arteriography, flap necrosis, average microvascular density, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were evaluated. RESULTS: The II-I distance was significantly greater than that of II-III (3.853 ± 0.488 versus 3.274 ± 0.433 cm, P = 0.012), whereas the distance of I-caudal resembled that of III-cranial (1.062 ± 0.237 versus 0.979 ± 0.236 cm, P = 0.442). The iliolumbar and posterior intercostal angiosomes were multidirectional, whereas the TDAV was craniocaudal and unidirectional. Seven days after the operation, the choke arteries had transformed into true anastomotic arteries. Flap necrosis was lowest in group 3, followed by group 2, and highest in group 1 (10.5% ± 2.4% versus 18.3% ± 3.5% versus 25.5% ± 4.6%, P < 0.01), whereas group 3 showed the highest microvascular density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, in contrast to groups 2 and 1, with the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: The choke vessel adjacent to the craniocaudal and unidirectional TDAV significantly blocked venous return. Increasing venous return may reduce the necrosis.

Cabbage cultivars influence transfer and toxicity of cadmium in soil-Chinese flowering cabbage Brassica campestris-cutworm Spodoptera litura larvae.

We executed a pot experiment to examine the differences of absorption, chemical forms, subcellular distribution, and toxicity of Cd between two cultivars of Chinese flowering cabbage Brassica campestris [Lvbao701 (low-Cd cultivar) and Chicaixin No.4 (high-Cd cultivar)]. Compared to Chicaixin No.4, the presence of Lvbao701 enhanced the proportion of insoluble Cd forms in soil, Lvbao701 roots and leaves had higher proportion of Cd converted into insoluble phosphate precipitates and pectate-or protein-bound forms and lower proportion of inorganic Cd, which result in low accumulation and toxicity of Cd to Lvbao701 and cutworm Spodoptera litura fed on Lvbao701 leaves. Instead of total Cd, Cd transfer and toxicity in B. campestris-S. litura system depend on chemical Cd forms in soil and cabbages and subcellular Cd distributions in cabbages and insects, and the proportions of them were not the highest among all chemical forms and subcellular distributions of Cd. Although exchangeable Cd was major Cd chemical form in cabbage planted soil, Cd bound to iron and manganese oxides and to organic matter were significantly correlated with growth indices and photosynthesis parameters of cabbages. Despite major part of Cd was precipitated in cell wall of roots, Cd in organelle fraction was closely associated with the fitness of cabbages. Metal-rich granules, not cytosolic fraction (the major subcellular Cd distribution), affected the food utilization of S. litura. Therefore, cabbage cultivars significantly affected Cd transfer and toxicity in B. campestris-S. litura system, and the use of Lvbao701 in Cd polluted soil could reduce potential risks for Cd entering food chains.

Accumulation and excretion of zinc and their effects on growth and food utilization of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

By exposing larvae of the holometabolous insect Spodoptera litura to the artificial diets supplemented with a range of Zinc (Zn) contents, we investigated Zn ingestion, excretion and accumulation in the insect throughout its life cycle. The effects of Zn stress on the survival, growth and food utilization of S. litura were also determined. Zn concentrations in the body (larvae, pupae, and adults), faeces, exuviates, puparium, eggs increased with the increasing Zn concentrations in the diets, while Zn excretion and accumulation by S. litura in 750 mg/kg Zn treatments was lower than the 600 mg/kg Zn treatment. In the 450 mg/kg Zn treatment, the Zn accumulation in S. litura at different developmental stages differed as follows: larvae > pupa > adult. S. litura ingested Zn via feeding and could excrete most of the Zn via faeces (compared with Zn excretion via exuviates) to reduce its internal Zn accumulation (compared with Zn ingestion). Survival and weight were significantly inhibited, and the prolonged period of development (larvae, pupae) and shortened longevity of adults were found in S. litura exposed to Zn stress greater than 450 mg Zn/kg. In the 150-450 mg/kg Zn treatments, the 6th instar larvae increased their relative consumption rate (RCR) and approximate digestibility (AD) (namely, food eaten) to gain weight, which resulted in greater Zn accumulation in the body. Therefore, below the threshold level (being close to 450 mg/kg Zn), S. litura seemed to have a strong homeostatic adjustment ability (increase the amount of food eaten, thereby increasing AD, RCR and Zn excretion via faeces and exuviates) to sustain their weight, and Zn was beneficial and harmless. Although larvae treated with 750 mg/kg Zn had a similar RCR and AD as the control, a reduced weight gain and prolonged larval period resulted in significantly lower relative growth rate (RGR), which indicated surviving insects may allocate more energy from foods for detoxification than for growth.

Platelet-rich plasma promotes the regeneration of cartilage engineered by mesenchymal stem cells and collagen hydrogel via the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway.

The tissue engineering technique using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and scaffolds is promising. Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) is generally accepted as an chondrogenic agent, but immunorejection and unexpected side effects, such as tumorigenesis and heterogeneity, limit its clinical application. Autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), marked by low immunogenicity, easy accessibility, and low-cost, may be favorable for cartilage regeneration. In our study, the effect of PRP on engineered cartilage constructed by MSCs and collagen hydrogel in vitro and in vivo was investigated and compared with TGF-ß1. The results showed that PRP promoted cell proliferation and gene and protein expressions of chondrogenic markers via the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway. Meanwhile, it suppressed the expression of collagen type I, a marker of fibrocartilage. Furthermore, PRP accelerated cartilage regeneration on defects with engineered cartilage, advantageous over TGF-ß1, as evaluated by histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Our work demonstrates that autogenous PRP may substitute TGF-ß1 as a potent and reliable chondrogenic inducer for therapy of cartilage defect.

A Human Chondrocyte-Derived In Vitro Model of Alcohol-Induced and Steroid-Induced Femoral Head Necrosis.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, femoral head necrosis (FHN), which is also known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head or osteonecrosis of the femoral head, affects millions of people. Excess alcohol intake and steroid use are two common associations with FHN, but their pathogenesis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro model using human chondrocytes to study alcohol-induced and steroid-induced FHN. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, the in vitro model used a monolayer culture of articular chondrocytes derived from patients with non-traumatic FHN (Ficat and Arlet, Stage III). Normal chondrocytes were obtained from patients with femoral neck fracture resulting from road traffic accident (Garden, Stage IV). Alcohol-stimulated and steroid-stimulated articular chondrocytes were evaluated by a cell proliferation assay, measurement of calcium levels (alizarin red), measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, detection of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) secretion using safranin O histochemical staining, and analysis of cartilage-specific genes, ACAN, SOX9, OPG, TGF-ß, RANKL, and RUNX2, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS Both alcohol and steroids, but especially steroids, accelerated the degradation of cartilage by suppression of chondrogenesis while promoting chondrocyte hypertrophy and activating osteogenic differentiation, as assessed by cell proliferation assay, detection of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) secretion, and analysis of cartilage-specific genes. CONCLUSIONS A human chondrocyte-derived in vitro model of alcohol-induced and steroid-induced FHN demonstrated chondrocyte hypertrophy and activated osteogenic differentiation.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a pro-osteogenic agent to enhance osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow: an in vitro study.

The proliferation and osteogenic capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) needs to be improved for their use in cell-based therapy for osteoporosis. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the green tea catechins, has been widely investigated in studies of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, no consensus on its role as an osteogenic inducer has been reached, possibly because of the various types of cell lines examined and the range of concentrations of EGCG used. In this study, the osteogenic effects of EGCG are studied in primary human bone-marrow-derived MSCs (hBMSCs) by detecting cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of relevant osteogenic markers. Our results show that EGCG has a strong stimulatory effect on hBMSCs developing towards the osteogenic lineage, especially at a concentration of 5 µM, as evidenced by an increased ALP activity, the up-regulated expression of osteogenic genes and the formation of bone-like nodules. Further exploration has indicated that EGCG directes osteogenic differentiation via the continuous up-regulation of Runx2. The underlying mechanism might involve EGCG affects on osteogenic differentiation through the modulation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression. EGCG has also been found to promote the proliferation of hBMSCs in a dose-dependent manner. This might be associated with its antioxidative effect leading to favorable amounts of reactive oxygen species in the cellular environment. Our study thus indicates that EGCG can be used as a pro-osteogenic agent for the stem-cell-based therapy of osteoporosis.

The function of guanylate binding protein 3 (GBP3) in human cancers by pan-cancer bioinformatics.

As a guanylate binding protein (GBPs) member, GBP3 is immune-associated and may participate in oncogenesis and cancer therapy. Since little has been reported on GBP3 in this field, we provide pan-cancer bioinformatics to investigate the role of GBP3 in human cancers. The GBP3 expression, related clinical outcomes, immune infiltrates, potential mechanisms and mutations were conducted using tools including TIMER2.0, GEPIA2.0, SRING, DAVID and cBioPortal. Results showed an increased risk of high GBP3 in Brain Lower Grade Glioma (LGG) and Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LUSC) and a decreased risk of GBP3 in Sarcoma (SARC) and Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) (p ≤ 0.05). GBP3 was negatively correlated with CAFs in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (ESCA) and positively correlated with CAFs in LGG, LUSC and TGCG (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, GBP3 was positively correlated with CD8+ T cells in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma (BLCA), Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CESC), Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC), SARC, SKCM, SKCM-Metastasis and Uveal Melanoma (UVM) (p ≤ 0.05). Potentially, GBP3 may participate in the homeostasis between immune and adaptive immunity in cancers. Moreover, the most frequent mutation sites of GBP3 in cancers are R151Q/* and K380N. This study would provide new insight into cancer prognosis and therapy.

A carrier-free nano-drug assembled via π-π stacking interaction for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be the most common joint disorder. Exogenous drug intervention is one of the effective means for OA treatment. Clinical applications of numerous drugs are restricted owing to the short retention as well as rapid clearance in the joint cavity. A wide variety of carrier-based nanodrugs have been developed, but additional carriers may bring unexpected side effects or even toxicity. Herein, by exploiting the spontaneous fluorescence of Curcumin, we designed a new carrier-free self-assembly nanomedicine Curcumin (Cur)/icariin (ICA) nanoparticles with adjustable particle size, which is composed of two small-molecule natural drugs assembled via π-π stacking interaction. Experimental results revealed that Cur/ICA NPs endowed with little cytotoxicity, high cellular uptake and sustained drug release, could inhibit secretion of inflammatory cytokines and reduce cartilage degeneration. Moreover, both the in vitro and in vivo experiments showed the NPs exerted superior synergism effects in anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection than either Cur or ICA alone, and self-monitored its retention by autofluorescence. Thus, the new self-assembly nano-drug combining Cur and ICA represents a new strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

A nitric oxide responsive AIE probe for detecting the progression of osteoarthritis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is reported to be elevated in osteoarthritis (OA) both in vitro and in vivo and may be adopted to develop fluorescent probes for detecting the progression of OA. Here we report a nitric oxide responsive aggregation induced emission (AIE) probe TPE-2NHCOCH2CH2-(PEG)24-NH-Diacerein, which is derived from tetraphenylethene (TPE) modified with the hydrophilic group long poly(ethylene glycol) chain and an anti-inflammatory drug diacerein. o-Phenylenediamine within its structure can react with NO to form benzotriazole and emit fluorescence. The results show that the NO-responsive AIE probe can smartly monitor the progression of OA with the change of fluorescence intensity in vitro and in vivo. This study may provide a new development direction for early OA monitoring in clinics.

Insights into leachate reduction in landfill with different ventilation Rates: Balance of Water, waste physicochemical Properties, and microbial community.

Ventilation is an efficient approach employed for accelerating stabilization and reducing aftercare of landfill, but its effect on leachate reduction is still elusive. To fill this knowledge gap, five lab-scale landfill reactors with different ventilation rates were established in this study. Suitable ventilation (e.g. 0.25-0.5 L·min-1·kg-1 dry solid of waste (DS)) was beneficial to promoting the stabilization of landfill, which effectively accelerated the degradation of organic matter and reduced water content of landfilled waste. Based on the mass balance of water, the dominant input water was initial water of landfilled waste (more than 94 %), which was partially converted to leachate and evaporated water. Ventilation enhanced the intensity of biochemical reactions heat to increase evaporated water content from 0 to 0.29 t/t DS while reducing the leachate generation significantly from 0.69 to 0.49 t/t DS with the increase of ventilation rate. Besides, the hydrophilic substances, such as humic acid-like substances, in landfilled waste increased, and the surface of the landfilled waste converted from smooth to rough. The reduction of the bound water content has a significant correlation with the degradation of organic matter content (p less than 0.05), which reduced the water-holding capacity of waste. Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the key bacterial phyla in the degradation of organic matter to promote bio-heat and evaporation of water, thus reducing leachate production under suitable ventilation conditions. Carbohydrates and amino acids were the main energy metabolism sources of bacteria during the landfill process. This study deepens our understanding of the leachate reduction mechanism in the micro-aerobic landfill.

Numerical simulation to optimize passive aeration strategy for semi-aerobic landfill.

Passive aeration has been proven to be efficient for oxygen supply in landfill. The combination of passive aeration and semi-aerobic landfill offers a cost-effective and energy-efficient approach to solid waste (SW) treatment. However, determining the optimal strategy for this combination has remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the strategy of passive aeration in a semi-aerobic landfill using numerical simulation methods. A model coupled hydrodynamic model and compartment model for degradation of SW was implemented. The accuracy was well validated by comparing measured and simulated results in a pilot-scale landfill. Compared with natural convection, passive aeration by funnel caps could increase air input by 20 %. By simulating volumetric fraction distribution of CO2, CH4 and O2 in landfill, an orthogonal experiment including 4 factors was designed to identify that the diameter of tubes (DT), the spacing between tubes (ST) and the landfill depth (LD) have substantial impacts on aerobic zone ratio (AZR) of landfill. But the diameter of gas ports (DGP) has an indiscernible effect. The optimized factors were determined to be as follows: DT = 0.3 m, ST = 15.0 m, DGP = 0.05 m, and LD = 4.0 m, under which the semi-aerobic landfill could enhance SW degradation. Large diameter and spacing of tubes are favorable to improve the AZR at the top of the landfill, and the aerobic zone mainly exists near the ventilation tubes. These findings contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable solid waste treatment strategies in semi-aerobic landfill.

Effect of SWOT Analysis Combined with the Medical and Nursing Integration Emergency Nursing Process on Emergency Treatment Efficiency and Prognosis of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common clinical emergency. Effective emergency treatment at the early stage of onset can effectively reduce the mortality rate. Time is the key of emergency treatment, which is directly related to the treatment effect and the prognosis of patients, and clinical intensive nursing intervention for emergency treatment is of great significance in improving the efficiency of emergency treatment and prognosis. In this study, the effects of routine emergency care flow and SWOT analysis combined with medical and nursing integration on emergency treatment efficiency and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction were compared. The results showed that the combined scheme could improve the rescue effect and success rate of patients with acute myocardial infarction, shorten the rescue time, and reduce the mortality and complication rate of myocardial infarction, which provided a new direction for clinical emergency treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Which one is better for multi-territory perforator flap survival, central perforator artery or central perforator vein?

BACKGROUND: The survival of multi-territory perforator flap is associated with the position of the perforators. This study aimed to explore whether use of the central perforator artery or vein was better for flap survival. METHODS: 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=25 per group). The flap contained the right and left iliolumbar, left posterior intercostal, and left thoracodorsal angiosomes, termed angiosomes Ⅰ to Ⅳ, respectively. The anastomosis between angiosomes Ⅱ and Ⅲ was termed choke 2. In experimental group 2, only the right iliolumbar vein and the left iliolumbar artery were preserved; in experimental group 1, only the right iliolumbar artery and the left iliolumbar vein were preserved; and in the control group, only the right iliolumbar artery and vein were preserved. On day-7 after the operation, the flap arteriography, intraluminal diameter, average microvascular density, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and flap survival were compared among groups. Moreover, the percentages of the angiosomes were measured. RESULTS: The dilation of the choke 2 artery was most pronounced in experimental group 2, followed by experimental group 1, and, finally, the control group (p<0.05). Similar results regarding average microvascular density, VEGF expression, and survival rate were found among the three groups. The percentages of angiosomes Ⅰ to Ⅳ were 23.1%, 23.0±3.1%, 23.0±1.9%, and 31.0±3.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the central perforator vein, the central perforator artery was more beneficial in enhancing flap survival. A multi-territory perforator flap with the central perforator artery could capture 3 angiosomes safely.

Applications and prospects of different functional hydrogels in meniscus repair.

The meniscus is a kind of fibrous cartilage structure that serves as a cushion in the knee joint to alleviate the mechanical load. It is commonly injured, but it cannot heal spontaneously. Traditional meniscectomy is not currently recommended as this treatment tends to cause osteoarthritis. Due to their good biocompatibility and versatile regulation, hydrogels are emerging biomaterials in tissue engineering. Hydrogels are excellent candidates in meniscus rehabilitation and regeneration because they are fine-tunable, easily modified, and capable of delivering exogenous drugs, cells, proteins, and cytokines. Various hydrogels have been reported to work well in meniscus-damaged animals, but few hydrogels are effective in the clinic, indicating that hydrogels possess many overlooked problems. In this review, we summarize the applications and problems of hydrogels in extrinsic substance delivery, meniscus rehabilitation, and meniscus regeneration. This study will provide theoretical guidance for new therapeutic strategies for meniscus repair.

Au modified PrFeO3 with hollow tubular structure can be efficient sensing material for H2S detection.

The H2S concentration in exhaled breath increases marginally with the progress of periodontal disease, and H2S is considered to be one of the most important gases related to meat and seafood decomposition; however, the concentration of H2S is low and difficult to detect in such scenarios. In this study, Au-PrFeO3 nanocrystalline powders with high specific surface areas and porosities were prepared using an electrospinning method. Our experimental results show that loading Au on the material provides an effective way to increase its gas sensitivity. Au doping can decrease the material's resistance by adjusting its energy band, allowing more oxygen ions to be adsorbed onto the material's surface due to a spillover effect. Compared with pure PrFeO3, the response of 3 wt% Au-PrFeO3 is improved by more than 10 times, and the response time is more than 10 s shorter. In addition, the concentration of H2S due to the decomposition of shrimp was detected using the designed gas sensor, where the error was less than 15%, compared with that obtained using a GC-MS method. This study fully demonstrates the potential of Au-PrFeO3 for H2S concentration detection.

Evaluation of CML TKI Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity and Development of Potential Rescue Strategies in a Zebrafish Model.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to BCR-ABL1 have been successfully used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), however, multiple TKI-associated adverse events have been reported and become an emerging problem in patients. The mechanisms of TKI-induced toxicity are not fully understood and it remains challenging to predict potential cardiovascular toxicity of a compound. In this study, we established a zebrafish model to evaluate potential in vivo cardiovascular toxicity of TKIs. We treated the endothelium labeled Tg(kdrl:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos with TKIs then performed confocal imaging to evaluate their vascular structure and function. We found that among FDA approved CML TKIs, ponatinib (the only approved TKI that is efficacious to T315I mutation) is the most toxic one. We then evaluated safety profiles of several clinical stage kinase inhibitors that can target T315I and found that HQP1351 treatment leads to vasculopathies similar to those induced by ponatinib while the allosteric ABL inhibitor asciminib does not induce noticeable cardiovascular defects, indicating it could be a promising therapeutic reagent for patients with T315I mutation. We then performed proof-of-principle study to rescue those TKI-induced cardiovascular toxicities and found that, among commonly used anti-hypertensive drugs, angiotensin receptor blockers such as azilsartan and valsartan are able to reduce ponatinib or HQP1351 induced cardiovascular toxicities. Together, this study establishes a zebrafish model that can be useful to evaluate cardiovascular toxicity of TKIs as well as to develop strategies to minimize TKI-induced adverse events.

[Corrigendum] Beneficial effects of sulfonamide­based gallates on osteoblasts in vitro.

Following the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that three figures in their paper (namely Figs. 2, 4 and 5) appeared to feature panels containing overlapping data. The authors re­examined their original data, and realized that they had made inadvertent errors in the compilation of the data in these figures; specifically, the data shown in the panels for Fig. 2G, Fig. 4C, D and I, and Fig. 5E and I had been selected incorrectly. The corrected versions of Figs. 2, 4 and 5 are shown below and on the next page. All the authors approve of this corrigendum, and are grateful of the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports for granting them the opportunity to publish this corrigendum. Furthermore, they regret that these errors were introduced into the paper, even though they did not substantially alter any of the major conclusions reported in the paper, and apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Molecular Medicine Reports 15: 1149­1156, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6142].

Erratum: Role of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: An enhancer or an inducer?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2579.].