Paclitaxel (PAC) results in long-term chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The coexpression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the nervous system plays an essential role in mediating CIPN. In this study, we used a TLR4 agonist (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and a TLR4 antagonist (TAK-242) in the CIPN rat model to investigate the role of TLR4-MyD88 signaling in the antinociceptive effects of hyper-baric oxygen therapy (HBOT). All rats, except a control group, received PAC to induce CIPN. Aside from the PAC group, four residual groups were treated with either LPS or TAK-242, and two of them received an additional one-week HBOT (PAC/LPS/HBOT and PAC/TAK-242/HBOT group). Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were then assessed. The expressions of TRPV1, TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecule, MyD88, were investigated. The mechanical and thermal tests revealed that HBOT and TAK-242 alleviated behavioral signs of CIPN. Immunofluorescence in the spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion revealed that TLR4 overexpression in PAC- and PAC/LPS-treated rats was significantly downregulated after HBOT and TAK-242. Additionally, Western blots showed a significant reduction in TLR4, TRPV1, MyD88 and NF-κB. Therefore, we suggest that HBOT may alleviate CIPN by modulating the TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway.

Accurate assessment of wound areas is crucial in making therapeutic decisions, as the prognosis and changes in the size of the wound over time play a significant role. An ideal assessment method should possess qualities such as speed, affordability, accuracy, user-friendliness for both patients and healthcare professionals, and suitability for daily clinical practice. This study aims to introduce a handheld 3-dimensional (3D) scanner and evaluate its accuracy in measuring wound areas. Engineers from the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan developed a handheld 3D scanner with the intention of extending its application to the medical field. A project was conducted to validate the accuracy of this 3D scanner. We utilized a smartphone (Asus ZenFone 2 with a 13-million-pixel rear camera), a digital single-lens reflex digital camera (Nikon, D5000, Tokyo, Japan), and the 3D scanner to repeatedly measure square papers of known size that were affixed to the curved surface of life-size facial mask or medical teaching breast models. The “Image J” software was employed for 2-dimensional image measurements, while the “3D Edit” software was used to assess the “area of interest” on 3D objects. By using square papers with predetermined dimensions, the measurement-associated error rate (ER) could be calculated for each image. Three repeated measurements were performed using the “Image J” software for each square paper. The ERs of the 3D scan images were all below 3%, with an average ER of 1.64% in this study. The close-up mode of the smartphone exhibited the highest ER. It was observed that as the area increased, the ER also increased in the digital single-lens reflex camera group. The extension distortion effect caused by the wide-angle lens on the smartphone may increase the ER. However, the definition of a healthy skin edge may vary, and different algorithms for calculating the measurement area are employed in various 3D measurement software. Therefore, further validation of their accuracy for medical purposes is necessary. Effective communication with software engineers and discussions on meeting clinical requirements are crucial steps in enhancing the functionality of the 3D scanner.

Background: Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid proliferation and the potential to develop resistance to conventional therapies. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a metabolite of curcumin, has demonstrated various biological activities; however, its effects on melanoma cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: This study investigated the antiproliferative effects of THC and the associated molecular changes in human melanoma A375 and C32 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, while Ki-67 immunofluorescence was used to evaluate cellular proliferation. Apoptosis was examined by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins was evaluated by Western blotting. Results: THC treatment inhibited the viability of A375 and C32 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with 24-h IC₅₀ values of 158.1 μM and 154.8 μM, respectively. Consistently, Ki-67 expression decreased following THC treatment, supporting its antiproliferative effect. However, Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis did not reveal a significant increase in apoptosis under the tested conditions, suggesting that growth inhibition was not primarily associated with the induction of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an increased proportion of cells in the G2/M phase, accompanied by a reduction in the G1-phase population. At the molecular level, THC treatment was associated with increased Cyclin B1 and CDK1 expression, together with alterations in other cell cycle regulatory proteins. These findings suggest that THC suppresses melanoma cell growth and promotes G2/M-phase accumulation, potentially through dysregulation of cell cycle progression. Further investigation of Cyclin B1–CDK1 complex activity and the phosphorylation status of CDK1 is required to clarify the underlying molecular mechanism. Conclusion: This study identifies THC as a potential inhibitor of melanoma cell proliferation and provides a basis for further investigation of its effects on cell cycle regulation.