Middle age has a significant impact on gene expression during skin wound healing in male mice.

The vast majority of research on the impact of age on skin wound healing (WH) compares old animals to young ones. The middle age is often ignored in biogerontological research despite the fact that many functions that decline in an age-dependent manner have starting points in mid-life. With this in mind, we examined gene expression patterns during skin WH in late middle-aged versus young adult male mice, using the head and back punch models.

Objective quantification of subjective parameters in scars by use of a portable stereophotographic system.

Introduction: Current evaluation of scars predominantly relies on subjective evaluation and lacks objective evidence for quantification of therapeutic outcomes by methods suitable for application in daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze 3-dimensional parameters obtained by use of a portable stereophotographic system in conjunction with subjective clinical findings.

Methods: After validation of the stereophotographic system on plastic scar molds (n = 20), we analyzed subjective evaluations of patients' own, and lay and expert observers by a visual analog scale, and compared the findings for volume and surface irregularity to the objectively calculated values during follow-up of selected scars.