General Pathology and Physiopathology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
In the course of General Pathology and pathophysiology are delineated the most important aspects of modern cellular and molecular pathology, as well as multicellular pathologic processes regarding degenerative, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Cellular physiopathology and the mechanisms underlying the pathology of specific organs and integrated functions are also considered.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student is expected to:
● Have sufficient information to understand, describe and recognize the causes and the pathogenetic mechanisms of human diseases, as well as the aetiopathogenesis of the most important alterations affecting the structures, the functions and the integrated controlling mechanisms of the organism.
● Know how to examine the biological and molecular aspects of the main human pathological conditions taking the cell as reference.
● Know how to go from the most basic cellular features to tissue damage and the possible consequences on alterations of body homeostasis (disease).
● To be able to update his/her knowledge also by reading qualified scientific journals
● Have sufficient information to understand, describe and recognize the causes and the pathogenetic mechanisms of human diseases, as well as the aetiopathogenesis of the most important alterations affecting the structures, the functions and the integrated controlling mechanisms of the organism.
● Know how to examine the biological and molecular aspects of the main human pathological conditions taking the cell as reference.
● Know how to go from the most basic cellular features to tissue damage and the possible consequences on alterations of body homeostasis (disease).
● To be able to update his/her knowledge also by reading qualified scientific journals
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
Linea: Policlinico
Course syllabus
Oncology
In the context of growth-related processes, the student must know the characteristics that distinguish non-neoplastic growth (reparative processes, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, regeneration) from neoplastic growth. Define metaplasias and the main precancerous states.
Understand the differential characteristics of benign and malignant tumors, know the classification of tumors.
The student must learn to consider tumors as a heterogeneous group of diseases having nonetheless one common fundamental characteristic: the progressive acquisition (through DNA mutations) by tumor cells of profitable characteristics that allow their growth, immortalization , invasiveness, etc. Consequently,
Explain the loss of cell cycle control in tumors.
Understand the concept of monoclonality and polyclonality of tumors, neoplastic progression and genetic instability of neoplastic cells
Be acquainted with the oncogenes:
a) activation mechanisms
b) biological activity of protein products
Have knowledge of tumor suppressor genes:
a) tumor suppressors and cell cycle
b) tumor suppressors and apoptosis
c) interaction between oncogenes and tumor suppressors
d) "caretaker" and "gate keeper" genes
Consider the etiology of tumors:
a) chemical carcinogenesis: chemicals as mutagenic and carcinogenic agents
b) physical carcinogenesis: ionizing radiation and UV radiation
c) viral carcinogenesis: DNA and RNA viruses
d) epigenetics
f) hereditary tumors
d) correlation between inflammation/fibrosis and tumor
Illustrate the formation of stroma in tumors and the mechanisms of angiogenesis (tumor microenvironment).
Define the molecular and genetic aspects of invasiveness and metastases.
Be acquainted with the relationship between tumors and hormones.
Define the relationship between immunity and cancer.
Learn about neoplastic cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
Have knowledge of tumor markers, their meaning and their use.
Learn about nutrition and cancer
Pathophysiology
The student must be familiar with the physiopathology topics already included among those of the General Pathology listed above (e.g. fever in the context of systemic inflammation manifestations), and also have knowledge of the following topics:
- Anemias
- Acid base balance
- Hypertension
- Shock
- Thrombosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Obesity and Metabolic syndrome
- Pathophysiology of the thyroid gland
- Aging
- Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- Pathogenesis of Malabsorption and Celiac disease
In the context of growth-related processes, the student must know the characteristics that distinguish non-neoplastic growth (reparative processes, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, regeneration) from neoplastic growth. Define metaplasias and the main precancerous states.
Understand the differential characteristics of benign and malignant tumors, know the classification of tumors.
The student must learn to consider tumors as a heterogeneous group of diseases having nonetheless one common fundamental characteristic: the progressive acquisition (through DNA mutations) by tumor cells of profitable characteristics that allow their growth, immortalization , invasiveness, etc. Consequently,
Explain the loss of cell cycle control in tumors.
Understand the concept of monoclonality and polyclonality of tumors, neoplastic progression and genetic instability of neoplastic cells
Be acquainted with the oncogenes:
a) activation mechanisms
b) biological activity of protein products
Have knowledge of tumor suppressor genes:
a) tumor suppressors and cell cycle
b) tumor suppressors and apoptosis
c) interaction between oncogenes and tumor suppressors
d) "caretaker" and "gate keeper" genes
Consider the etiology of tumors:
a) chemical carcinogenesis: chemicals as mutagenic and carcinogenic agents
b) physical carcinogenesis: ionizing radiation and UV radiation
c) viral carcinogenesis: DNA and RNA viruses
d) epigenetics
f) hereditary tumors
d) correlation between inflammation/fibrosis and tumor
Illustrate the formation of stroma in tumors and the mechanisms of angiogenesis (tumor microenvironment).
Define the molecular and genetic aspects of invasiveness and metastases.
Be acquainted with the relationship between tumors and hormones.
Define the relationship between immunity and cancer.
Learn about neoplastic cachexia and paraneoplastic syndromes.
Have knowledge of tumor markers, their meaning and their use.
Learn about nutrition and cancer
Pathophysiology
The student must be familiar with the physiopathology topics already included among those of the General Pathology listed above (e.g. fever in the context of systemic inflammation manifestations), and also have knowledge of the following topics:
- Anemias
- Acid base balance
- Hypertension
- Shock
- Thrombosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Gout
- Obesity and Metabolic syndrome
- Pathophysiology of the thyroid gland
- Aging
- Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- Pathogenesis of Malabsorption and Celiac disease
Prerequisites for admission
Basics of mathematic and statistic, Biology, Histology, Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology and Immunology
Teaching methods
Lectures. Slides made available to students on Ariel platform
Teaching Resources
Testi:
Pontieri: "Patologia Generale"
Robbins & Cotran "Le basi patologiche delle malattie"
Idelson-Gnocchi "Patologia generale"
Pontieri: "Patologia Generale"
Robbins & Cotran "Le basi patologiche delle malattie"
Idelson-Gnocchi "Patologia generale"
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 7
Lessons: 84 hours
Shifts:
Turno
Professors:
Bendinelli Paola, Geginat Jens Albrecht Ernst, Recalcati Stefania, Tacchini LorenzaLinea: San Donato
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 7
Lessons: 84 hours
Shifts: