OVERVIEW

The course gives students the fundamental elements of pathophysiology, which are essential for the successive comprehension of clinical medical sciences.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Physiopathology is a branch of medicine that combines physiology and pathology especially in the study of altered bodily function in disease. The learning outcome is the knowledge of the main physiopathological mechanisms of organs and systems,  in order to recognize the mechanisms and causes of their malfunction, and to be able to interpret the symptoms, which will be exposed to the students in the successive clinical courses

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the main physiopathological mechanisms of organs and systems, with particular regard to blood, liver, kidney, respiratory and digestive systems, some aspects of endocrinology and metabolism, and the physiopathology of neoplasms.

PREREQUISITES

basic knowledge in anatomy, histology, biochemistry, immunology and physiology

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, with any possible dialectic interaction with students

In case of sanitary emergency, lessons will switch to remote learning

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), mesenchimal stem cell (MSC), HSC transplant (HSCT).

Erythropoiesis, classification and examples of anemia: aplastic, paroxysmal nocturnal nemoglobinuria (PNH), immune hemolytic, deficiency (Fe, B12 and B9), drugs-mediated, secondary to chronic disorders.

Hemostasis and examples of hemostasis disorders (endothelium, platelets or coagulation factors abnormalities).

Oncology: benign and malign neoplasms, metastasis, local and systemic effects, paraneoplastic syndromes. Epidemiology (risk and prognostic factors). Molecular basis of tumor transformation: oncogenes, oncosuppressors and examples of tumors. Epigenetic mechanisms (methylation, miRNA). Hematological malignances: classification and examples of myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms. Cancer stem cells (CSC), Tumor-associated angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment. Immune responses against cancer, tumor escape mechanisms, tumor-associated inflammation.

Pathogenesis and consequences of dyslipidemias. Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, Acute rheumatic fever (ARF), essential and secondary hypertension.

Classification of renal diseases, and acute and chronic renal failure. Hydro-electrolytic balance, in particular sodium and potassium. Acid base balance and its alterations.

Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus.

Pathophysiology of lipoprotein metabolism

Examples of nitrogen metabolism: phenylketonuria, hyperhomocystinemias, gout

Pathophysiology of the respiratory system.

Pathophysiology of the liver and the biliary tract: acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and ascites, hepatic failure, portal hypertension, cholestasis, icterus, systemic effects of liver damage

Liver metabolic diseases: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Hemochromatosis and Hemosiderosis
Wilson disease
Overview of most common digestive disorders
Overview of most common pancreatic  disorders

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, Elsevier

The didactic material is available in pdf format for download (https://www.aulaweb.unige.it). The aim of the course is also to familiarize students with online biomedical scientific literature (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CRISTINA BOTTINO (President)

NICOLA TRAVERSO (President)

ANNA MARIA BASSI

CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

1st semester, 3rd year

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The end-of-course exam aims to evaluate the achievement of the educational objectives of the course. The exams take place on the dates indicated in the calendar. Verification is oral, conducted by two teachers for each student. The grade is assigned as a weighted average. The teachers verify the achievement of the educational objectives by asking diversified questions relating to the programs actually carried out during the lesson hours. When the educational objectives have not been achieved, the student is invited to better verify his knowledge and to take the exam again in its entirety. There are no student reception hours, but students can contact the teachers by email in order to make an appointment for further explanations.

Exam Commission

Proff. Cristina Bottino, Nicola traverso, Cinzia Domenicotti, Anna Bassi

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Verification of learning takes place only through the final exam which aims to verify the actual acquisition, by the student, of the expected learning outcomes. In order to pass the exam, with a score of not less than 18/30, the student must demonstrate that they know and connect the topics covered during the course

The following contribute to the final mark expressed out of thirty:

- Ability to deal with the requested topics in a transversal and critical manner;

- Correctness, clarity, synthesis and fluidity of presentation;

- Mastery of the subject;

- Adoption of appropriate terminology

The mark of 30/30 with possible honors will be awarded when the knowledge / skills of the subject are excellent.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The didactic material is available in pdf format for download (Teams or Aulaweb)