Ateneo - UPO

This module aims at exploring the principles underlying the functionality of skeletal muscle in pathophysiological conditions, also by critically analyzing the scientific literature on the topic.

Scientific papers provided by the teacher and copy of the slides used in class.

This module aims to promote the in-depth study of the principles that determine and regulate the structure and functionality of skeletal muscle by providing knowledge of the most widespread experimental methods of studying them and stimulating the integration of knowledge acquired in different fields and their use to make clinical considerations.

Basic English to read scientific papers. Basal concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Classes with slide presentations and scientific articles. The lectures will be integrated with short movies in English focused on the main mechanisms of skeletal muscle physiological regulation.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the
, 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 tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

In the oral test, the ability to apply the knowledge acquired will be assessed and the marks (out of thirty, with a passing score of 18/30) will be assigned as detailed below:
30 cum laude: excellent language skills and in-depth knowledge of the details of the topics covered in class, ability to make connections with topics covered in other courses and with the clinic through the critical reading of scientific articles.
27-30: excellent language skills, in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in class, ability and autonomy in making connections with topics covered in other courses and with the clinic. 24-26: good language skills, adequate knowledge and correct exposition of the physiological mechanisms addressed in class. Confidence in connecting concepts to each other and correlating with clinical aspects. 18-23: simple description of essential concepts, limited ability and autonomy in making correlations with basic notions in other fields and with clinical aspects. Insufficient: fragmented knowledge of the notions and imprecise exposition, lack of autonomy in making correlations with basic notions in other fields or with clinical aspects.

Structure and function of the skeletal muscle with reference to some pathologies linked to the lack of structural proteins or the presence of altered proteins.
Main methodological approaches to study the structure and functionality of skeletal muscle.
Muscle homeostasis: atrophy and hypertrophy.
Loss of muscle mass and function: sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and cachexia.
The skeletal muscle as an endocrine tissue.

At the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired familiarity with the methodological approaches of scientific research aimed at studying the homeostasis and functionality of skeletal muscle and the underlying mechanisms; the ability to integrate knowledge acquired in different contexts, including other courses; the ability to critically read a scientific article to extract information relevant to clinical applications.