General Pathology
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The main objective of this course will be to study the pathological mechanisms beyond the systemic diseases paying special attention on etiology (cause of the disease) and pathogenesis (origin and development of a disease) of processes related to environmental-related diseases.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should:
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of human pathologies (cell damage, adaptation and death; acute and chronic inflammation).
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of the physiological functions of the immune system, both in health conditions and disease.
· Explain the main molecular and cellular alterations which induce the insurgence and manifestation of the following diseases: inflammatory (atherosclerosis, infections), genetic and autoimmune diseases, tumours, anaemia.
· Explain aetiology, symptoms and pathogenetic mechanisms of the main diseases connected to the environment (tumours, embryonal defects, respiratory tract and cutaneous diseases, diseases caused by chemical or physical agents).
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of human pathologies (cell damage, adaptation and death; acute and chronic inflammation).
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of the physiological functions of the immune system, both in health conditions and disease.
· Explain the main molecular and cellular alterations which induce the insurgence and manifestation of the following diseases: inflammatory (atherosclerosis, infections), genetic and autoimmune diseases, tumours, anaemia.
· Explain aetiology, symptoms and pathogenetic mechanisms of the main diseases connected to the environment (tumours, embryonal defects, respiratory tract and cutaneous diseases, diseases caused by chemical or physical agents).
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
GENERAL PATHOLOGY
General definitions: homeostasis, signs and symptoms of diseases, extrinsic and intrinsic causes of disease
Cellular and tissue responses to damage and stress
Acute and chronic reversible damage; adaptive tissue responses (atrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia). Irreversible damage: cell death (necrosis, apoptosis, autophagy). Accumulation disorders: steatosis, glycogenosis, amyloidosis
Acute inflammation: vascular events and cellular events; soluble inflammation mediators; cells involved in inflammation (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, mastocytes); systemic inflammatory responses .
Resolution of the inflammatory process: characteristics of wound healing; scar formation and fibrosis; angiogenesis.
Chronic inflammation: definition, granuloma, tissue fibrosis
Immunology and Immunopathology
Features of innate and acquired immunity. Cells involved in immune responses. Structure of the antigen recognition molecules: T Cell Receptor (TCR), B Cell Receptor (BCR); major histocompatibility complex molecules. Humoral immunity: B lymphocytes and antibodies, structure and functions. Cell-mediated immunity: helper and cytotoxic T cells, antigen presentation. Cell cooperation in immune response, interleukins. Immunological tolerance. Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. Hypersensitivity reactions (Type I, II, III and IV). Vaccines.
Oncology
Nomenclature, classification, functional and morphological features of benign and malignant tumors. Invasiveness and characteristics of the metastatic process. Carcinogenesis: general principles. Protooncogenes, oncogene and oncosuppressor genes. Chemical carcinogenesis. Pathogens related tumors.
Genetic diseases and developmental disorders
Autosomal dominant or recessive genetic diseases. Chromosomal abnormalities. Development pathology, malformations, morphogenesis defects.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE MAIN ORGANS AND SYSTEMS
Pathophysiology of blood: anemias
Pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis.
Pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract: gastric diseases: gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers; hepatic diseases: hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure
Pathophysiology of the respiratory system: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial diseases, lung tumors
Skin diseases: skin tumors, skin reactions to chemical substances
General definitions: homeostasis, signs and symptoms of diseases, extrinsic and intrinsic causes of disease
Cellular and tissue responses to damage and stress
Acute and chronic reversible damage; adaptive tissue responses (atrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia). Irreversible damage: cell death (necrosis, apoptosis, autophagy). Accumulation disorders: steatosis, glycogenosis, amyloidosis
Acute inflammation: vascular events and cellular events; soluble inflammation mediators; cells involved in inflammation (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, mastocytes); systemic inflammatory responses .
Resolution of the inflammatory process: characteristics of wound healing; scar formation and fibrosis; angiogenesis.
Chronic inflammation: definition, granuloma, tissue fibrosis
Immunology and Immunopathology
Features of innate and acquired immunity. Cells involved in immune responses. Structure of the antigen recognition molecules: T Cell Receptor (TCR), B Cell Receptor (BCR); major histocompatibility complex molecules. Humoral immunity: B lymphocytes and antibodies, structure and functions. Cell-mediated immunity: helper and cytotoxic T cells, antigen presentation. Cell cooperation in immune response, interleukins. Immunological tolerance. Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. Hypersensitivity reactions (Type I, II, III and IV). Vaccines.
Oncology
Nomenclature, classification, functional and morphological features of benign and malignant tumors. Invasiveness and characteristics of the metastatic process. Carcinogenesis: general principles. Protooncogenes, oncogene and oncosuppressor genes. Chemical carcinogenesis. Pathogens related tumors.
Genetic diseases and developmental disorders
Autosomal dominant or recessive genetic diseases. Chromosomal abnormalities. Development pathology, malformations, morphogenesis defects.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE MAIN ORGANS AND SYSTEMS
Pathophysiology of blood: anemias
Pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis.
Pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract: gastric diseases: gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers; hepatic diseases: hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure
Pathophysiology of the respiratory system: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial diseases, lung tumors
Skin diseases: skin tumors, skin reactions to chemical substances
Prerequisites for admission
The course of General Pathology is scheduled in the I semester of the II year. It is mandatory to have passed the Human anatomy and General Biology exam before the General pathology test, as reported in the Manifesto degli Studi.
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures given by the Professor of the Course and occasionally seminars by external experts on particular subjects. Power point presentations or short videos are usually used and are provided to the students in the Ariel site of the course.
Teaching Resources
- All the slides will be available on the Ariel website
- Celotti, Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia, II Edizione, Edises, 2013, under revision
- Kumar, Robbins Fondamenti di Patologia e di Fisiopatologia, Edra, 2013
- Maurizio Parola, Patologia generale ed elementi di fisiopatologia, Editore: Edises 2020
- Celotti, Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia, II Edizione, Edises, 2013, under revision
- Kumar, Robbins Fondamenti di Patologia e di Fisiopatologia, Edra, 2013
- Maurizio Parola, Patologia generale ed elementi di fisiopatologia, Editore: Edises 2020
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral or written test with questions and short answers, to evaluate students' comprehension of the fundamental concepts of the course, their critical sense and specialized vocabulary. The evaluation of the exams is expressed in thirtieths.
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
D'Alessandro Sarah
Professor(s)
Reception:
to be defined
via Carlo Pascal, 36 - 20133 MILANO