Dr Božidar Kostić (1892–1960) – physician of noble heart – was born in Niš (Kingdom of Serbia) in a distinguished family of academically educated parents. As there were no medical faculties in Kingdom of Serbia, after high school, which he had finished with great success, in 1911 he enrolled at the Graz University of Medicine, a prestigious medical university. Soon he transferred to the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, where he continued his studying for another ten semesters. In Prague, The Golden City, after the First World War, he finished his studies with an average grade of 10. After the Second World War, he worked as a doctor with a private medical practice in Belgrade, but soon he moved to Vranje, where he established the Town Polyclinic and contributed to the final flourishing of the most important forms of health care activities in liberated Vranje, donating his rich knowledge and skills, which led the health service to move to forms of independent work and development of new activities. For his contribution to the community, by decree of His Majesty King of Yugoslavia Alexander I Karađorđević, he received the Order of Saint Sava. Dr Božidar Kostić and his wife Pravda devoted their lives to the health and educational upbringing of the people in the south parts of Serbia (then Social Federative Republic of Yugoslavia). Until his last days he lived and worked as a true folk doctor.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSC) is a rare, chronic, progressive, severe illness with unknown etiology and characteristics of impaired microcirculation. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is reflected in the efficiency of pure oxygen under pressure greater than atmospheric and it is main indication for the application in the state of disturbed microcirculation. Aim: The aim was to examine the effect of HBOT on the quality of life and the state of microcirculation in patients with SSc. Material and methods: The research represents retrospective study which involved 18 female patients with SSc. All patients completed the HAQ, SySQ and TIFS questionnaires and all basic laboratory analyzes, as well as total anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-centromer antibodies (ACA), and anti-topoisomerase-1 antibodies (Anti-Scl-70). Rodnan skin score, capillaroscopy, and diffusion spirometry were made and values of forced vital capacity (FVC) and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) were taken. Results: FVC values were 96.61 ± 13.44 (78 -122) before departure, but after treatment they were 115. 94 ± 16.69 (82 -135). DLco values were 73.61 ± 6.63 before departure, after departure results were 87.33 ± 9.30. ANA antibodies were positive in 38.9%, ACA were positive in 22.2%, and Anti-Scl-70 were positive in 16.7%. The mean value of ESR was 20.5 (4 -42) before going to the hyperbaric chamber, and after departure it was 12 (3 -27). Conclusion:Our research has shown that HBOT has a significant effect on patients with SSc, but further research is needed to determine the exact effect of HBOT on this disease.

Introduction: Silicone breast implants (SBI) have been used since 1962 in the reconstruction of post-mastectomy cases, in augmentation of the breast, or for cosmetic purposes, while fillers with biopolymer (FB) have been used since the 1990s. Today, they are considered adjuvants of the immune system. Most complications of SBI and FB are local in nature, but some patients experience systemic symptoms, which are defined as adjuvant-induced autoimmune inflammatory syndrome (ASIA). Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the possible association of silicone breast implants and FB with the development of immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IMIRD). Material and methods: The research represents retrospective study which involved 15 female patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases, 6 of whom were patients with implanted silicone breast implants for cosmetic reasons, and 9 patients with placement of fillers with biopolymer on the lips. Results: The average time from silicone implantation to the onset of the first symptoms was 6.10 ± 5.3 (range 6 months to 24 years). The following immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases were recorded: 3 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), 3 patients with undifferentiated arthritis, 3 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, 1 patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 patients with undifferentiated SCTD, 2 patients with mixed connective tissue disease, and one patient with unexplained systemic disease. Seven patients had the Raynaud phenomenon. Spontaneous abortions were reported in 2 patients. Conclusion: Earlier reports that silicone breast implants and biopolymer fillers are safe, today are changing with the description of ASIA syndrome.