Ateneo - UPO

Basic knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms; cellular pathology, basic knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune system, Immune disorders, Pathophisiology of blood vessels and coagulation. Pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of the main diseases of the organs of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

Robbins: patologia generale (Nona edizione) edizioni EDRA,
-Patologia Generale e fisiopatologia (VI edizione) Pontieri, Piccin editore
-Immunologia cellulare e molecolare (nona edizione) Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai; edizioni Edra

Acquire and understand the etiological bases and pathological mechanisms that drive the development of diseases. Develop critical judgment on the subject, logically linking concepts and knowledge to each other. Combine the ability to learn with the ability to discuss the topics in a clear and fluent manner, using the appropriate terminology. Understanding the molecular targets of drugs in clinic, under investigation or development.

It is advisable to have already followed the course of Biology and the course of physiology

Mainly lectures and seminars. Occasionally, active teaching methods such as classroom research. Interactive tests to verify learning acquisition.

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 tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The oral exam consists of open questions aimed at assessing the understanding of the subject combined with critical and popular skills. Two exam sessions are set during the months of February, June-July and September

1: CELL PATHOLOGY
Cellular and tissue responses to stress, causes and mechanisms of cellular damage, characteristics and mechanisms of the different types of cell death (necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis), degenerative processes by macromolecules accumulation

2: INNATE IMMUNITY AND INFLAMMATION
Mechanisms of pathogens' recognition: description of the main receptor families of innate immunity, including plasma membrane receptors (receptors for formylated peptides, lectin receptors, scavenger receptors, Toll-like receptors), cytosolic receptors (RIG-like receptors, cytosolic DNA sensors, NOD1 / 2 receptors, NLRP family) and soluble receptors in biological fluids (collectins, pentraxine, ficolins, complement). Transcription factor NF-κB and type I interferons as key regulators of inflammatory response and anti-viral status.
Cellular components of innate immunity. Epithelial barriers: physical, chemical and biological activities. Cells of Innate immunity (natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes /macrophages): origin, activation and effector functions.
The vascular and cellular events of acute inflammatory responses: the mechanisms underpinning changes in blood flow and permeability, adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte recruitment, inflammatory mediators of plasmatic and cellular origin. Morphological types of acute inflammation at either local (serous, fibrinous, suppurative, ulcer inflammation) or systemic (sepsis, SIRS, septic shock) level. Outcomes of acute inflammation. Chronic granulomatous or non-specific inflammation.
Tissue repair by renewal and by healing. Embryonic and adult stem cells. Hepatic regeneration. Repair of cutaneous wounds for first and second intention. Tissue repair abnormalities. Fibrosis

3: SPECIFIC IMMUNITY
Dendritic cells: link between innate and adaptive immunity. The major complex of hystocompatibility: class I and class II (structures and functions). HLA genes: poligenia and polimorphism; MHC restriction
T lymphocytes: differentiation, activation and maturation. The TCR: structure, signaling transduction. Thymic selection. Peripheral and central tolerance
Helper T lymphocytes. Innate lymphoid cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
B lymphocytes: differentiation, activation and maturation. Antibodies: structure, classes, functions.
Primary and secondary response.Vaccines.

4: IMMUNOPATOLOGY
Hypersensibility reactions types I, II; III and IV
Autoimmune reactions: antibody- and cell-mediated. Tolerance and graft rejection
Acquired immunodeficiency

5: PATHOPHISIOLOGY OF VESSELS AND COAGULATION
Atherosclerosis: risk factors, pathogenesis
atherosclerotic plaques: generation and stabilization. Clinical signs and adverse outcome. Haemorrhagic diseases. Thrombosis: pathogenesis and clinical manifestation

6. DISORDERS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AND CONNECTED ORGANS
Motility disorders (dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia, pyloric stenosis, intestinal obstruction). Gastritis. Peptic ulcer disease: duodenal, gastric and stress ulcers. Malabsorption syndromes. Inflammatory Bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Liver, gallbladder and pancreas disorders
7. DISORDERS OF LUNG AND LOW RESPIRATORY TRACT
Restrictive lung diseases: aspiration, atelectasis, brochiectasia, bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Obstructive pulmonary diseases: asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Acute infectious pathology of the lower respiratory tract. Pneumonia

Learning and understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of diseases and the medical terminology used to describe them. Ability to disseminate the acquired knowledge by using the specific terminology. Application of the acquired knowledge in order to 1) understand the therapeutic effects of the pharmacological approaches addressed by the subsequent study courses, 2) read the literature in an independent and critical way 3) identify new therapeutic targets 4) design new therapeutic approaches directed towards specific molecular/cellular target