In reconstructive surgery, venous flaps are a crucial option but are often hampered by ischemia–reperfusion injury. A recent study led by Rani Septrina from Universitas Padjadjaran investigated how ischemic preconditioning (IPC) could improve outcomes in arterialized venous flaps, with a special focus on temperature monitoring as a predictive factor. The team explored whether brief cycles of ischemia before surgery could enhance flap survival.

The researchers designed a series of experiments in animal models, applying IPC protocols under different thermal conditions. They found that controlled hypothermia during the preconditioning phase produced a more protective effect against reperfusion injury, while normothermic settings provided less consistent results. These findings emphasize the importance of temperature as a modifiable variable during microsurgical procedures.

Interestingly, the study highlighted that ischemic preconditioning works by triggering cellular defense mechanisms, reducing oxidative stress, and preserving microvascular integrity. In the arterialized venous flap, where venous drainage is already precarious, these effects proved vital.

Temperature monitoring emerged as more than a supportive parameter—it became a predictor of flap viability. The authors argue that intraoperative thermal control could be integrated into surgical monitoring systems, offering real-time indicators of ischemic tolerance.

Ultimately, the research underscores the potential for IPC to expand the reliability of venous flaps in reconstructive microsurgery. If translated into clinical practice, such protocols could reduce complication rates, shorten hospital stays, and improve functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients.

This study contributes directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by improving surgical safety and outcomes, while also touching on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the development of new surgical monitoring strategies. Universitas Padjadjaran’s work strengthens Indonesia’s visibility in global biomedical innovation and reinforces the university’s role in the THE Impact Rankings.

When Vaccines Fail: Unpad Study Reveals HPV’s Hidden Role in Genital Wart Treatments

In the fight against sexually transmitted infections, vaccines are often celebrated as miracle tools. But new research from Universitas Padjadjaran has uncovered a crucial complication: certain strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) may reduce the effectiveness of using measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines as an alternative therapy for genital warts. The case study, led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat and colleagues at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, shows how high-risk HPV strains can resist immunotherapy, complicating treatment strategies for young patients.

The team studied a 17-year-old male patient with 51 genital wart lesions. Although MMR vaccine injections have been successful in clearing warts in many patients, this case was different. The patient tested positive for both low-risk HPV types (6 and 11) and a high-risk oncogenic strain (HPV 16). After three rounds of MMR immunotherapy, the warts remained unchanged, proving resistant to treatment. Ultimately, the lesions required surgical removal through electrocautery.

The findings carry a strong public health message: not all warts are equal, and not all treatments will work universally. Physicians and patients should be aware that HPV testing plays a crucial role before deciding on immunotherapy. Early detection of high-risk strains could save time, costs, and patient distress. Moreover, prevention through HPV vaccination and safer sexual practices remains the most powerful strategy to curb HPV’s widespread burden.

This study contributes directly to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by strengthening the evidence base for better STI management. Universitas Padjadjaran’s work reinforces the importance of integrating advanced diagnostics into routine care while raising awareness about prevention. By linking global vaccine debates to local realities, Unpad shows how Indonesian research continues to shape global health innovation.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is most commonly associated with genital warts, but a study by Universitas Padjadjaran dermatologists has shown how the virus can appear in unusual ways, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat of the Faculty of Medicine, the team reported a case of an HIV-positive patient whose hand and foot warts were caused by HPV type 6—a strain typically linked to genital infections.

The patient, struggling with HIV-related immune suppression, developed widespread verruca vulgaris (common warts). When the lesions were tested, doctors were surprised to find HPV type 6 present in the skin of the hands and feet, an atypical finding rarely documented before. This case highlights how immunocompromised individuals may show unusual disease patterns, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.

While warts may seem minor, in immunosuppressed patients they can cause pain, secondary infections, and social stigma. The discovery of genital-associated HPV outside its usual site also raises new questions for clinicians. Should routine HPV testing expand to cover more body sites in HIV patients? Could this knowledge help prevent further complications?

The case underscores the importance of personalized care for patients living with HIV. By recognizing unusual presentations of infections, doctors can adapt their diagnostic approach and ensure timely intervention. This is especially relevant in Indonesia, where access to comprehensive HIV care remains uneven.

Universitas Padjadjaran’s contribution here is both scientific and human-centered, reminding us that viruses adapt in surprising ways, and so must medical practice. It directly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, while demonstrating the university’s role in strengthening clinical understanding worldwide.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often thought of as problems among the young, but a case reported by Universitas Padjadjaran researchers shows otherwise. Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat and colleagues from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology documented an unusual case of an older Indonesian man in his 60s who developed extensive anogenital warts after starting a new sexual relationship. The case highlights the overlooked vulnerability of older adults to STIs, particularly when age-related changes in the immune system, known as immunosenescence, reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.

The patient presented with multiple warts around the genital and anal region, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While genital warts are usually benign, they can severely affect quality of life and carry risks of malignancy if linked to high-risk HPV types. In elderly patients, the reduced immune defense means the infection often progresses more severely and resists treatment.

The Unpad doctors managed the case through a combination of surgical and medical interventions while also counseling the patient on safer sexual practices. Importantly, the case sheds light on a growing but often unspoken issue: older adults are remaining sexually active, but sexual health education and protection strategies rarely target this age group.

By bringing attention to this case, the researchers emphasize the need for broader awareness campaigns and health services that are inclusive of geriatric populations. Condom use, HPV vaccination, and regular check-ups are not just for the young but also for the elderly who engage in new sexual relationships.

This case-based insight contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being by advocating for sexual health at all stages of life. It also reflects Universitas Padjadjaran’s role in tackling health issues across age groups, ensuring that no community is left behind.

Obesity remains a growing public health concern in Indonesia, leading to diabetes, heart disease, and reduced quality of life. Researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran, led by Dr. Gaga Irawan Nugraha, set out to test whether combining a prescription weight-loss drug with structured diet counseling could provide better results than dieting alone.

The study enrolled adults struggling with obesity and divided them into groups — one receiving diethylpropion plus dietary guidance, and the other relying on dietary changes only. Over several weeks, participants on the combined plan not only lost more body weight and fat but also preserved muscle mass, a crucial factor in maintaining long-term health.

The mechanism is straightforward: diethylpropion acts to reduce appetite, making it easier for patients to stick to calorie goals, while professional diet planning ensures nutrient balance and gradual, sustainable loss. Importantly, no severe side effects were observed, supporting the treatment’s safety when used under medical supervision.

This approach empowers patients with both medical and lifestyle tools, aligning with SDG 3 by reducing risks of non-communicable diseases. With obesity rates rising in Southeast Asia, such integrated interventions could become an essential part of public health strategies.