UNAIR NEWS – UNAIR Rector inaugurated four new professors on Thursday, September 8 at Garuda Mukti Hall Campus C UNAIR. Unlike last year, the inauguration of the four professors from four different disciplines was carried out online during the pandemic through UNAIR’s official YouTube account.
The four professors are Prof. Dr. Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih, M.Si and Prof. Dr. Suryani Dyah Astuti, S.Si., M.Si from Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). Then Prof. Dr. Ahmad Yusuf Saiun, S.Kp., M.Kes from Faculty of Nursing (FKp), as well as Prof. Diah Ariani Arimbi, SS, MA, Ph.D from Faculty of Humanities (FIB).
Moreover, UNAIR has recorded 211 active professors, and the university has produced 503 professors since its establishment in 1954.
With the four newly inaugurated professors, Prof. Nasih believes that Universitas Airlangga will move forward. He also hopes that all of them can contribute optimally to the nation.
In the future, continued Prof. Nasih, it is hoped that UNAIR will continue to develop its excellence in the field of research. He revealed that the excellence of research does not stop here, and the university will continue to move forward.
“Excellent research is research with meaning, research that has value and provides benefits both for individuals and for society,” explained Prof. Nasih.
Holistic Model Development in Treatment of Mental Disorders
On that occasion, Prof. Yusuf explained that the most prominent mental disorders are behavioral disorders, mental disorders, emotional disorders which are then followed by physical symptoms. When physical symptoms such as sleep disorders, eating disorders cause work function disorders, it can cause mental disorders in a person.
“The average person experiences mental disorders after they experience impaired work function,” said him.
There are two groups of mental disorders, emotional mental disorders and severe mental disorders. Mental disorders also have a massive impact on the economic sector because people with mental disorders cannot carry out activities productively
To deal with emotional mental disorders, continued Prof. Yusuf, the action that can be done is strengthening the meaning of life so that people are not easily anxious, easily angry, and so on.
“Therefore, it is also necessary to develop spiritual reinforcement, as for the spiritual values that we (Prof. Yusuf and the research team, ed) have studied are gratitude, patience and sincerity,” he added.
Prof. Yusuf stated that mental health problems are not only the patient’s problem but also family, group and community problems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a holistic model that does not only look at physical (biological) matters but also psychological, social, spiritual and cultural.
“So it can be concluded that the handling of mental disorders must be comprehensive, involving all parties, across sectors and programs,” he explained.
Utilizing Photodynamics for Medical Innovation
In her oration, Prof. Dr. Suryani Dyah Astuti, S.Si., M.Si., elaborated the innovation on photonics-based medical instrument development for antimicrobial and biomodulation therapy which are alternative methods to treat biofilm infections in chronic diseases. She said that photodynamic therapy is a method used to remove harmful cells such as microbes, cancer and infectious diseases. This innovation with the combination of light, photosensitizer and oxygen will cause photoinactivation in bacteria.
“Which is the inhibition of cell metabolic activity because of damage to cytoplasmic membranes due to peroxidation by reactive oxygen,” said the 14th active professor of Faculty of Science and Technology.
According to Prof. Dyah, photosensitization as a combination is a process of light absorption by photosensitizer molecules which then activates chemical reactions to produce various reactive oxygen species. According to the professor born in Klaten, photosensitization depends on the type and concentration of porphyrin, which acts as a light-absorbing molecule.
“This sensitivity to light is mainly related to the wavelength of light that is exposed. Most of the porphyrin absorbs in the visible light region (400 – 700 nanometers), “said the professor of biophysics.
Furthermore, Prof. Dyah also explained that the presence of nano-sized photosensitizer (10 -9 m) could increase the percentage of energy absorption, so it is more effective to produce ROS (Reactive oxgen Species). From this, it is known that the research results show that silver nano particles (AgNPs) are effective in increasing the reduction of bacterial biofilms.
Nutraceutical Potential in Prevention of Oxidative Stress
In her oration, Prof. Dr. Dra. Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih, M.Si said that free radicals are formed due to metabolic activity. The presence of free radicals in the form of reactive oxygen has binding properties against deoxyribonucleic acid (ADN). It can also cause autoxidation or lipid peroxidation and can activate programmed cell death.
“The more free radicals that enter the body, the more immune cells are damaged,” she explained.
Free radicals can interfere with cell function, so that cell function becomes abnormal. It lowers the body’s defence system decreases so that the body becomes weak and gets sick quickly. Besides, free radicals can trigger the formation of new abnormal cells for tumor and cancer.
Prof. Tutik explained that okra contains flavonoids, quercetin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C. High amounts of vitamin C in okra have scavenger activity that can reduce free radicals.
“Okra also contains polysaccharides that have the potential to modulate immune function through activation of immune cells,” she explained.
The results showed that the methanol extract of okra pods had a hepatoprotective activity with serum biochemical indicators. Okra extract can also restore damaged liver tissue to normal.
Calling for Resistance to Stereotypes and Homogenization of Women
Prof. Diah Ariani Arimbi, SS, MA, Ph.D. in her oration called for resistance to gender stereotyping and construction, which especially harmful to women.
The second active FIB professor highlighted how women’ presence is still limited to their physical appearance, when as human beings, women also have a mental, social, cultural and identity presence that should be respected by society.
“That’s why there is still a long struggle towards gender equality,” said the master’s graduate of English Language and Literature, University of Northern Iowa, United States.
Furthermore, Prof. Diah also hopes that gender equality for both men and women can reach beyond space, time, region and culture.
“I dream of the faces of Indonesian women with various colors and shapes. Even though our struggle is still long, I thank gender fighters who advocate for equality and women’s rights in society, “she said. (*)
Author: Khefti Al Mawalia
