CODE 61197 ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025 CREDITS 9 cfu anno 2 MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA 8745 (LM-41) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR MED/04 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester MODULES Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF DISEASES TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB OVERVIEW Experimental Pathology, is the branch of medicine treating the aetiology of the diseases and their different processes through the microscopic or molecular examination of organs, tissues, cells, or body fluids from diseased organisms. Another important aspect involved in this field concerns the analysis of the mechanisms by which the body defends itself against infections and, in particular, what happens when the Immunological System doesn’t work properly. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The course of Experimental Pathology aims to transmit to the student a deep knowledge about aetiology and phathogenesis of the diseases. Students will also study all the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune responses both in normal and pathological conditions. These studies should be considered as preparatory for planned clinical subjects in subsequent years. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The General Pathology course aims: - to provide the knowledge about the etiology and the pathogenesis of human diseases both at the cellular and at the molecular levels; - to provide an overall comprehension of the mechanisms at the base of cellular pathology and of the inflammatory response; - to develop an adequate knowledge about the immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and in diseases responsible for/caused by immune system alterations; - to define the modern principles of the scientific method and medical research, including translational aspects. At the end of the course the student will be able: - to gain a deep knowledge about the etiology and the pathogenesis of the diseases in humans; - to classify the causes of disease; - to recognize the adaptation responses to cellular injury and the morphological and biochemical modifications associated to cell death; - to gain a deep knowledge about inflammation and tissue repair and to describe the mechanisms involved; - to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain defense mechanisms against infectious agents and tumors; - to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain the mechanisms involved in immune system alterations; - to acquire a correct terminology for the proper presentation of the pathological processes; - to critically deal with the clinical subjects planned in subsequent years; - to describe, with respect to some topics, the most relevant translational aspects. TEACHING METHODS Teaching is divided into 90 hours of classroom lectures on all the topics of the syllabus. These topics are explained by the teachers through PowerPoint presentations and all the lessons are shared in Aulaweb. The teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subject. Attendance in this course is mandatory. Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Concepts of homeostasis and disease. General etiology and pathogenesis of diseases. Extrinsic causes of disease: Biological effects of exciting and ionizing radiation. Role of free radicals in pathophysiology. Oxidative stress and antioxidant defence mechanisms. Pathologies related to age and oxidative stress. Hyperbaropathies: nitrogen narcosis and gas embolism. Hypobaropathies: hypoxia and altitude sickness. Hyperthermia: burns and heat stroke. Hypothermia: frostbite. Trauma from blunt violence, bladed weapons and firearms. Internal trauma, Trauma of the osteo-articular system. Chemical causes of disease. Local action of acids and bases. Respiratory and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. Solvents. Protein denaturing agents. Toxics and poisons. Biotransformation reactions. Nutritional causes of disease. Primary and secondary protein-energy malnutrition. Deficiency of vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12 and C. Obesity and related diseases. Caloric restriction. Biological causes of disease: pathogenesis of bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Bacterial toxins. Superantigens. Tetanus. Dyphteria. Streptococcal and post-streptococcal diseases. Herpesviruses. Influenza. Malaria. Cellular pathology: Cellular adaptations to damage. Atrophy. Hypertrophy. Metaplasia. Dysplasia and anaplasia. Vacuolar degeneration. Congenital lysosomal diseases. Cholesterinosis. Intracellular protein accumulations. Mitochondrial swelling. Steatosis. Cirrhosis. Amyloidosis. Hyaline, fibrinous and mucosal degeneration. Exogenous and endogenous pathological pigmentations. Pathological accumulations of iron and copper. Jaundice. Irreversible cell damage. Cell death: apoptosis and necrosis. Inflammation: Acute inflammation. Inflammatory cells. Innate immunity receptors. Innate immunity defects. Chemical mediators of inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines. Chemokines. Leukocyte migration. Systemic effects of inflammation. Acute phase response. Septic shock. Classification and outcome of acute inflammation. Chronic inflammation. Granulomas. Inflammation and cancer. Autoinflammatory disorders. Immunology and Immunopathology: Cells and Tissues of the Immune System. General features of the Innate and Adaptive Immune response. Origin and maturation of T and B lymphocytes. The Antigen receptor gene rearrangement (Immunoglobulin and T Cell receptors). Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Antigen processing and presentation to T Lymphocytes. Dendritic Cells. Activation of T Lymphocytes. Effector mechanisms of Cell-mediated Immunity. Cytotoxic and Helper T cells subpopulations. Cytokines. Natural Killer Cells. B cell activation and Antibody production. Effector mechanisms of Humoral Immunity. Immunity to Pathogens. Mucosal Immunity. The immunopathogenic reactions (types I-VII). Congenital and acquired Immunodeficiencies. Immunological Tolerance and Autoimmunity. Systemic and organ specific autoimmune disease and their immunopathogenic features. Immunological Memory and vaccines. Transplantation Immunology. Immunity to tumors. Tumor escape. Anti-tumor immunotherapy. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Bases of Disease 10th edition - Elsevier Rubin’s Pathology - Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine. Pontieri (Mainiero, Misasi, Sorice) - Patologia generale & Fisiopatologia generale, Piccin AA VV - Patologia generale e Fisiopatologia, Idelson-Gnocchi Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai - Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Elsevier Parham - The immune system. Garland Science Dianzani, Pucillo - Immunologia e Immunopatologia, Edi-Ermes As optional research material, reviews in English language concerning several topics of the course will be available in Aulaweb. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD CLAUDIA CANTONI Ricevimento: Students have the possibility to contact the teacher by e-mail (claudia.cantoni@unige.it) or by phone (010 56362845) and ask for an appointment. Address 1: Laboratorio di Immunologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Padiglione 2, Istituto G. Gaslini, L. go G. Gaslini 5 Address 2: Sezione di Patologia Generale - DIMES, Via L. Alberti, 2 GABRIELLA PIETRA Ricevimento: Students have the possibility to contact Gabriella Pietra by e-mail (gabriella.pietra@unige.it) or by phone (010 5558219) and ask for an appointment. CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI Ricevimento: The reception of the students is agreed from time to time, according to the needs and deadlines, by e-mail to the following address: Cinzia.Domenicotti@unige.it The office is located at General Pathology Section - DIMES via LB Alberti 2- Genoa tel +39 010 3538830 GUIDO FERLAZZO Exam Board WILLIAM BRUNO (President) VINCENZO DI PILATO (President) CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI (President) GUIDO FERLAZZO (President) PAOLA GHIORZO (President) GABRIELLA PIETRA (President) ALDAMARIA PULITI (President) SONIA SCARFI' (President) ANNA MARCHESE GABRIELLA PIATTI CLAUDIA CANTONI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course) LESSONS LESSONS START Second semester (March 2025) Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Students are allowed to undergo the oral examination only if they have passed the test concerning the modules of the first semester with at least 18/30 (this mark is valid for 18 months). The oral examination consists of an interview in the presence of the course teachers. The student, in the presence of the committee, should demonstrate the ability to critically discuss all the subjects covered in the questions. Through the discussion of different topics, the committee verifies the fulfillment of the expected earning outcomes. At the end of the oral examination, teachers elaborate a mark deriving from the weighted average of the partial/preliminary marks and from an overall judgment/evaluation of the student. Available dates for examination will be 3 for the winter session (January-February) and 4 for the summer session (June-September). An extra date outside the periods indicated in the course guidelines will be given only to students without obligation to attend lessons. In order to attend the oral examination, students will have to register on the website (https://servizionline.unige.it/studenti/esami/prenotazione) at least four days before the examination date. At the end of the course, in the first week of June, approximately, a pre-exam for the Microbiology Module will be scheduled, and both students of the current AY and students of the previous years will have access to. Students are allowed to attend it even without the evaluation of Etiology and Pathogenesis of Diseases 1. This opportunity is available only for this pre-exam: for the ordinary sessions, students must have passed the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Diseases 1 exam. The Microbiology mark obtained in the pre-exam will be valid for the next exam sessions planned in June, July, and September of the same AY. If the General Pathology Module is not passed, the Microbiology mark obtained in the pre-exam will still be valid until the mark expiry date. Students who do not pass the Microbiology pre-exam will have the opportunity to take the exam, in the usual manner, according to the programmed schedule. ASSESSMENT METHODS Verification of learning is carried out through the oral exam, aimed at verifying the real acquisition by the student of the expected learning outcomes. In order to pass the exam the student will have: - to know the etiological basis and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases and how to analyze their main cellular and molecular aspects; - to understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and to know the diseases associated to the dysfunction of the immune system. The following items will contribute to the final mark: - ability to critically discuss the requested topics; - accuracy, clarity, synthesis and fluency; - competence in the subject; - speaking ability and correct use of terminology. Exam schedule Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 09/01/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 04/02/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 20/02/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 17/04/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 18/06/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 08/07/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 23/07/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale 18/09/2025 08:30 GENOVA Orale FURTHER INFORMATION Students have the opportunity to contact the teacher by e-mail and ask for an appointment depending on the needs.
