Caspase-14 is a unique member of the caspase family—a family of molecules participating in apoptosis. However, it does not affect this process but regulates another form of programmed cell death—cornification, which is characteristic of the epidermis. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in the formation of the skin barrier. The cell death cycle has been a subject of interest for researchers for decades, so a lot of research has been done to expand the understanding of caspase-14, its role in cell homeostasis and processes affecting its expression and activation. Conversely, it is also an interesting target for clinical researchers searching for its role in the physiology of healthy individuals and its pathophysiology in particular diseases. A summary was done in 2008 by Denecker et al., concentrating mostly on the biotechnological aspects of the molecule and its physiological role. However, a lot of new data have been reported, and some more practical and clinical research has been conducted since then. The majority of studies tackled the issue of clinical data presenting the role of caspase in the etiopathology of many diseases such as retinal dysfunctions, multiple malignancies, and skin conditions. This review summarizes the available knowledge on the molecular and, more interestingly, the clinical aspects of caspase-14. It also presents how theoretical science may pave the way for medical research. Methods: The authors analyzed publications available on PubMed until 21 March 2021, using the search term “caspase 14”.

The tolerance and safety of vaccination in pregnancy should be assessed in local populations based on ethnic differences across countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the tolerability of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination in pregnancy in a Polish population. An online questionnaire enquiring about the safety and tolerability of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was distributed to pregnant and non-pregnant female healthcare professionals who had voluntarily received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Poland. The two groups were compared simultaneously considering the COVID-19 infection status before vaccination. Compared with that noted in the control group, pregnant women in the COVID-19-free group were less likely to have fever (p = 0.002) or gastrointestinal symptoms (p = 0.009) after the second dose. In the COVID-19-exposed group, pregnant women were less likely to experience local skin reactions (p = 0.009), and myalgia (p = 0.003) after the first dose. After the second dose, the only noticeable difference was a lower incidence of myalgia (p = 0.001) in pregnant women. The tolerability of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was similar in both the groups. No severe local, generalised, or pregnancy complications related to mother or foetus were observed. Good tolerability of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy in the Polish population may facilitate the decision to vaccinate pregnant women against COVID-19.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm among women in Poland and in the European Union. According to most recent data of the Polish National Cancer Registry, in 2014 breast cancer was diagnosed in over 17,000 women. Based on the National Health Fund records, it is estimated that there are about 55,000-60,000 women in Poland who have a history of breast cancer diagnosis and are potentially at a risk of relapse. The most common sign of breast cancer is the presence of a nodule, however women also seek medical attention because of skin lesions. The aim of the study is to present diverse clinical manifestations of direct infiltrates and/or skin metastases of breast cancer. Attention is drawn to the importance of including breast cancer in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions. StReSZCZenieRak piersi jest najczęstszym nowotworem złośliwym występującym u kobiet w Polsce i Unii Europejskiej. Według najnowszych danych Krajowego Rejestru Nowotworów z 2014 r. nowotwór ten rozpoznano u ponad 17 000 Polek. Na podstawie rejestrów Narodowego Funduszu Zdrowia szacuje się, że w Polsce żyje ok. 55 000-60 000 kobiet, u któ-rych kiedykolwiek zdiagnozowano raka piersi. Każda z nich potencjalnie jest zagrożona nawrotem choroby. Najczęstszym objawem raka piersi jest obecność guzka, ale to zmiany skórne mogą być przyczyną zgłoszenia się pacjentki do lekarza. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie przypadków pokazujących, jak różnorodny charakter i obraz kliniczny mogą przyjmować zmiany będące bezpośrednimi naciekami i/lub przerzutami raka piersi w skórze i jak ważne jest uwzględnianie tej jednostki chorobowej w diagnostyce różnicowej chorób skóry.

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Lyme borreliosis is the most known and frequent disease caused by ticks. This disease may be limited to the skin, involve muscle and articular system, the heart, or the nervous system. Erythema migrans is a skin manifestation of an early Lyme borreliosis. Physicians specializing in infectious diseases, family doctors and dermatologists deal with treating the erythema. Its diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical presentation and patient's history. Seldom is it easy since skin lesions may resemble other diseases, and the patient often fails to associate the lesion with a tick bite. This article presents interesting examples of atypical manifestations of erythema migrans, and discusses differential diagnostics. Moreover, the work shows diagnostic possibilities and therapeutic recommendations regarding the disease. StRESzczEniEBorelioza z Lyme jest najbardziej znaną i najczęstszą chorobą odkleszczową, która może ograniczać się do zajęcia skóry, obejmować układ stawowo-mięśniowy, serce lub układ nerwowy. Rumień wędrujący jest skórną manifestacją wczesnej boreliozy. Jego leczeniem zajmują się lekarze specjaliści chorób zakaźnych, lekarze rodzinni, a także dermatolodzy. Rozpoznanie ustala się na podstawie obrazu klinicznego i wywiadu. Często nie jest to łatwe, bo zmiany na skórze mogą przypominać inne choroby, a pacjent może nie kojarzyć objawów z ukłuciem przez kleszcza. Przedstawiamy interesujące przykłady nietypowych obrazów klinicznych rumienia wędrującego z uwzględnieniem diagnostyki różnicowej. Ponadto prezentujemy możliwości diagnostyczne oraz zalecenia terapeutyczne dotyczące tej choroby.