Ateneo - UPO

This course focuses on the causes and cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases and on the functioning of the immune system.

Power point slides.

Knowledge of the causes, mechanisms and clinical manifestations of the main human diseases. Knowledge of the principles of immunology. Knowledge of the study methods for researching the molecular and cellular alterations responsible for disease.

Basic knowledge of Molecular and Cellular Biology; Biochemistry; Genetic; Histology; Anatomy; General Physiology.

Lessons using power point slides. Discussion during the lesson to verify understanding.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the teachers in charge of the course to define the examination modalities.

Oral examination to verify the level of knowledge and understanding of the course contents and to evaluate the autonomy of judgment, the ability to learn and the ability to correctly use scientific terminology. A 30-point scale is used for grades. To pass the exam (18/30 or more) the student must know and have understood at least the basic notions related to the causes and mechanisms responsible for the diseases covered in the course. To obtain 30/30 cum laude, the student will have to answer all questions with outstanding competence and knowledge and using the appropriate terminology.

PATHOLOGY: general concepts. A brief history of pathology. Physical agents of damage; radiations. Examples of chemical and biological agents of damage. Genetic causes of damage. Chromosomal aberrations, numerical chromosomal anomalies (trisomies, Klinefelter and Turner syndromes). Mutations; monogenic diseases, examples of autosomal dominant and recessive diseases (collagen defect diseases, achondroplasia, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria) and X-linked diseases. Non-Mendelian inherited diseases. Reversible and irreversible cellular damage; mitochondrial damage, alterations in calcium flows. Mechanisms of response to oxidative stress, to misfolded proteins, to hypoxia. Cellular adaptations (hyperplasia and hypertrophy; atrophy; metaplasia). Amyloidosis; Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases. Cell death: necrosis, apoptosis and autophagic death. Methodologies for the study of general pathology. INFLAMMATION: Cells involved in inflammation and their functions (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, mast cells, endothelial cells, platelets); soluble mediators of inflammation (histamine, serotonin, arachidonic acid metabolites, plasma proteases, cytokines including interleukin-1 [IL-1], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-β], and bacterial metabolites); alterations in vascular tone and permeability during inflammation (exudate formation); functions of phagocytic cells in inflammation (adhesion, diapedesis, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and mechanisms of bacterial killing); histopathology of inflammation; systemic effects of inflammation.TISSUE REPAIR: Tissue regeneration (proliferative potential of tissues; growth factors including epidermal growth factor [EGF], transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-β], insulin-like growth factor [IGF], platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF], fibroblast growth factor [FGF]; interactions with the extracellular matrix and other cells); connective tissue replacement and angiogenesis; wound healing.IMMUNOLOGY: Purpose of the immune response. Innate and adaptive immunity. Non-specific and specific defense mechanisms. Anatomical barriers and chemical defenses. The immune system: innate and adaptive immunity; cellular and humoral components; primary and secondary lymphoid organs. B lymphocytes and immunoglobulins: structure, gene recombination, and immunoglobulin class-switch recombination. T lymphocytes and the T-cell receptor: structure, gene recombination, thymic maturation, and selection. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC): antigen processing and presentation. The complement system. Immunopathology: Type I, II, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions; autoimmune diseases; immunodeficiencies; transplant rejection.

According to the Dublin descriptors D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will know and understand the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease state. The student will learn to express himself/herself through appropriate scientific terminology. D2-ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in all disciplines that require knowledge regarding the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease. This knowledge will facilitate him in the diagnostic and research laboratory activities. D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT: The student will acquire the ability to independently and critically analyze the elements related to the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological process. D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The student will acquire the ability to disseminate the assimilated knowledge using a specific and appropriate vocabulary in order to be able to confront in a professional and competent manner in the academic and subsequently work environment. The student will have mastery of an appropriate vocabulary regarding the pathogenetic mechanisms. In addition, the student will acquire the ability to transmit the assimilated knowledge in a clear and understandable way even to a general public. D5-LEARNING SKILLS: The student will acquire the ability to use the teaching material provided for a critical and reasoned study of the topics covered and will also be able to deepen and update independently, by reading texts and scientific articles related to problems. all topics covered during the course