OVERVIEW

The course consists of 6 credits corresponding to 48 hours of lectures. It allows the student to learn the proper medical terminology and to deepen knowledge on the etiology, pathogenesis and clinical features of the major human diseases.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to enable the student to know the etiological basis and the pathogenic mechanisms of the diseases in humans. The course is divided into several parts including: Etiology and pathogenesis of diseases. Physical and chemical causes of disease. Biotransformation of xenobiotics. Principles of free radical pathology. Pathophysiology of cell injury. Neoplastic transformation. The tissue response to injury: inflammation and immunity.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is organized in lectures and deals with topics of general pathology and immunology. These topics are explained by the teacher through PowerPoint presentations that are saved and shared on Aulaweb. However, a textbook is always recommended in order to expand the overall view of the subject.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Fields of the study of General Pathology. Concept of homeostasis. Differences between the disease, the pathological state, process and phenomenon. Reversible and irreversible cell damage. Cellular pathology.

GENERAL AETIOLOGY: genetic and chromosomal disorders. Radiations. Trauma and wound repair. Burns and frostbite. Mode of action of pathogenic chemicals. Alteration of the pH. Solvent action. Denaturing action. Toxic action. Enzymatic defenses: Phase I and II biotransformation mechanisms. Causes of proteic malnutrition: marasma and kwashiorkor. Anorexia and bulimia. The water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins related deficiencies. Deficiencies in minerals. Obesity. Dietary relationships with atherogenesis and cancer.

INFLAMMATION

Definition, causes and stages. Chemical mediators. Vasoconstriction. Vasodilation, the active hyperemia and the consequences on the balance of Starling-Landis. The increase of the permeability and the inflammatory edema formation. The chemical mediators of cellular and plasma origin. Chemotaxis, diapedesis and phagocytosis. The passive hyperemia and its consequences; cyanosis and its mechanism; inflammation tissue suffering. The acute phase reaction: mechanisms, consequences and significance. Resolution and its possible outcome: healing (with recovered fully or outcome scar) and regressive diseases. Classification of acute inflammation: serous, fibrinous, mucous, purulent, hemorrhagic, necrotic, allergic. Chronic inflammation and chronic inflammatory infiltrate cells. The types of chronic inflammation (widespread and granulomatous). Granulomas: definition and etiology. Structure of tuberculous granuloma and its possible evolution. Notes on tuberculosis (primary complex, post-primary tuberculosis).

FEVER: Termoproduction and heat dispersion. Febrile hyperthermia. Types of fever.

IMMUNOLOGY: innate and acquired immunity. Antigens and antibodies. Cells of the immune system. Cytokines. Antigen presentation. Conformational determinants and sequential. Defenses against viruses and bacteria. IMMUNOPATHOLOGY: Hypersensitivity reactions (I, II, III, IV). Autoimmune disease (systemic and organospecifiche). Congenital and acquired (AIDS) immunodeficiencies.

CANCER: molecular basis of cancer: oncogenes and their activation. Alterations of tumor suppressors. Etiology of cancer. Initiation and promotion. Classification of tumors.

CHANGES IN HAEMODYNAMIC BALANCE: Edema. Thrombosis. Arterial and venous thrombi. Solid, liquid and gas embolism.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

PAROLA M.: PATOLOGIA GENERALE-EDISES

PONTIERI G.M.: PATOLOGIA GENERALE-EDIZ. PICCIN-TERZA EDIZIONE

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI (President)

SUSANNA PENCO

MARIA ADELAIDE PRONZATO

ROBERTA RICCIARELLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The start date of the lessons will be announced on the Department of Pharmacy website.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test and takes place in the presence of two professors. The interview lasts approximately 25 minutes for each student and is focused on the whole coursework covered during the lectures.

At the end the two professors formulate a final vote, which is a weighted average of the partial grades that are assigned taking into account the presentation skills, synthesis and assimilation of the program content by the student. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Through the discussion of several topics concerning, the commission verifies the achievement of the educational goals.

Exam schedule