Learning objectives
Once completed the Course, the Student will have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the etio-pathogenetic factors underlying the basic structural and functional alterations in humans, and the relative response mechanisms, at the different levels of integration (molecules, cells, tissues, organisms) (DD1, knowledge and understanding).
Students are also expected to be able to apply this knowledge, integrated with information from previous Courses, to the comprehension of the pathophysiology of common human pathologies (DD2, applying knowledge and understanding).
Prerequisites
Adequate bases of cytology/histology, anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, oncology and physiology are required.
Course unit content
The Course will provide scientific bases to the practice of medicine, defined as the capability to identify clinical conditions affecting human beings and to promote preventive or therapeutic to implement individual and community health. The Module will concern:
- Cell Pathology
- Molecular Pathology
- Inflammation, hemostasis, tissue repair
- General pathophysiology
For a more detailed description of the course contents, see Programma Esteso below.
Full programme
1) MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
- Monogenic Mendelian disease (with relevant examples)
* autosomic dominant
* autosomic recessive
* X-linked
- Monogenic non-mendelian diseases (with examples)
- Polygenic multifactorial diseases (with examples)
- Chromosomal alterations
- Disorders of gene expression and phenotypic effects of mutations
- Examples of protein disorders
*structural proteins
* hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias
* channels and transporters
* hormones and receptors
2) CELL PATHOLOGY
- Cell damage: reversible vs. irreversible
- Protein misfolding: ER stress and UPR
- Intracellular accumulations: protein accumulation, steatosis, lysosomal diseases
- Extracellular accumulations: amyloidosis
- Oxidative stress and the cell response
- Biotransformations
- Ethanol toxicity
- Ischemic and hypoxic stress. Cell and tissue adaptation to hypoxic-ischemic stress
- Types, biological significance and mechanisms of cell death
- Cell aging, organism aging and progeroid syndromes
3) THE RESPONSE TO TISSUE INJURY
- Hemostatic mechanisms
- Hemorrhagic disease
- DIC
- Thrombosis (mechanisms, Virchow's factors, evolution and consequences)
- Embolia (concept, types, consequences)
- Infarction
- Innate immunity and inflammation triggering
- Acute inflammation: phenomena, cells, mediators, types
- The inflammatory exudate (mechanism of formation, types)
- Mediators of the inflammatory response (exogenous vs. endogenous; cellular vs. plasmatic; preformed vs. neosynthesized; the complement system; the kinine system; histamine; eicosanoids; the cytokines; nitric oxide; antiinflammatory mediators)
- The resolution of the acute inflammatory response
- Chronic inflammation (the infiltrate, mechanisms, cells, evolution)
- Inflammatory lesions: abscesses, ulcerae, granulomas
- Systemic phenomena in inflammation (leukocytosis, acute phase response, the inflammatory stress, metabolic changes)
- Fever
- Defects of the inflammatory response
- SIRS
- Autoinflammatory diseases
- Mechanisms of tissue repair
- Derangements of tissue repair mechanisms
- Fibrosis
- Atherosclerosis
4) PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
-Endocrine disorders
* Endocrine defects (hormone deficits, receptor defects, post-receptorial defects)
*Endocrine hyperactivities (hormone excess, receptor hyperactivity, excess of signal transduction)
- Pathophysiology of metabolism:
*Alterations of purine metabolism
* Alterations of lipid metabolism
* Diabetes Mellitus: etiologic factors, types, pathophysiology of metabolic alterations and complications
* Porphirias and jaundice
* Iron and copper. Iron deficiency and overload.
- Pathophysiology of nutrition.
*Obesity
* PEM
* Hypovitaminosis and hypervitaminosis
Bibliography
- Kumar, Abbas, Fausto, Aster (Eds). Robbins e Cotran – Pathologic Basis of Disease - Elsevier Masson, 2021
- Pardi, Di Fiore. Patogenesi-Basi genetiche e molecolari delle malattie. Piccin, 2023
Additional reference material will be suggested during the lectures
Teaching methods
Lessons will be on site. Lectures will be interactive and will be carried on through a dialogue between the teacher and the students. Examples of true-life situations and clinical cases will be also provided so as to raise the interest of the students.
Supporting didactic material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations and audio-video aids.
Slide consultation will be necessary but NOT sufficient for students preparation.
Assessment methods and criteria
No interim summative evaluation is programmed, while valutative or diagnostic evaluations will be possible.
The final summative evaluation will consist in the oral examination of the Integrated Course.
For further information see the Integrated Course.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes)
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
Good health and well-being
Quality education
