Ateneo - UPO

1) INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PATHOLOGY 2) THE GENETIC BASE OF THE DISEASES 3) PHYSICAL AGENTS AS CAUSE OF DISEASES 4) CHEMICAL AGENTS AS CAUSE OF DISEASES 5) BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AS CAUSE OF DISEASES 6) TISSUE MODIFICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO PATHOLOGICAL CHRONIC AND ACUTE STIMULA 7) INFLAMMATORY PROCESS 8) REPAIR PROCESS 9) NEOPLASTIC GROWTH

Patologia Generale per Corsi di Laurea in Professioni Sanitarie G.Pontieri (Ed. Piccin)

The specific aim of the General Pathology course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the etiology (causes) and pathogenesis (mechanisms) underlying the development of disease and the disruption of normal health. To achieve this objective, the course examines the molecular and cellular effects of both endogenous pathogenic factors, including genetic disorders and cancer, and exogenous pathogenic agents, such as physical, chemical, and biological causes of disease. Students will explore the cellular and tissue consequences of acute and chronic exposure to pathogenic stimuli, including cellular degeneration, reversible and irreversible cell injury, and mechanisms of cell death, such as necrosis and apoptosis. The course also covers the molecular and cellular basis of the inflammatory response, describing both local and systemic inflammation as fundamental biological reactions to tissue injury.

The Course needs the previous knowledge of fundamental elements of biochemistry, biology, genetics and physiology acquired in previous or parallel courses, which will provide the basis for the learning of the effects of exogenous and endogenous disease agents on the cellular and tissue levels ( Cell damage and neoplastic transformation) and non-specific (inflammatory) and specific (immune) defense responses

Lectures based on a continuous student interaction that will allow immediate verification of understanding of the topics discussed. Strongly recommended is the acquisition of notes of all the lessons directly taken by the student such notes will be essential for the preparation of the exam. All slides of the course will be available during the course.

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.

Students are expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease covered during the course, as well as the basic principles underlying the initiation and progression of inflammation and the mechanisms of cellular injury.Assessment consists of a written examination comprising 20 multiple-choice questions.The examination is considered passed only if students correctly answer at least 50% of the questions (minimum 10 correct answers). Failure to achieve this minimum threshold will result in an unsatisfactory grade, and the entire examination must be retaken.The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the simple average of the grades obtained in the three modules (Microbiology, Immunology, and General Pathology).

INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PATHOLOGY; The state of health, the concept of etiology, the concept of pathogenesis, the state of illness. GENETIC DISEASE BASES General on genetic mutations and their causes. Examples of genetic diseases: sickle cell anemia and alterations in transport or metabolism of amino acids: Hartnup disease, phenylalaninemia, albinism. PHYSICAL AGENTS AS A CAUSE OF DISEASE: generality about mechanical, thermal, electric power transfer pathologies. Effects of ionizing radiation (molecular, cellular and super-cellular) and the effects of exciting radiations. CHEMICAL AGENTS AS A DISEASE: absorption and elimination routes; biotransformation reactions: phase 1 (dependent on cytochrome P450) and phase 2; adverse effects of reactive metabolites produced during biotransformation), toxicity by chemical agents . The damage caused by free radicals: production mechanisms, protective factors and cell damage. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AS A CAUSE OF DISEASE: Generalities on the mechanisms of damage and defense against viral and bacterial infections. TISSUE CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO CHRONIC AND ACUTE PATHOLOGICAL STIMULES: hypertrophy, hyperplasia, hypotrophy, atrophy, metaplasia; Reversible cell damage. Irreversible cell damage: cell death for necrosis and apoptosis. INFLAMMATORY PROCESS: Inflammatory cells and their functions (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophil granulocytes, basophils, mast cells, endothelial cells, platelets) soluble inflammatory mediators (histamine, serotonin, arachidonic acid metabolites, plasma proteases, cytokines: interleukin 1.6 [IL-1 and IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalfa], transformant-beta growth factor [TGFbeta], bacterial metabolites). Alteration of the tone and vascular permeability during inflammation (exudate formation). Activity of phagocytic cells in inflammation (adhesion, diaphytesis, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, bacterial killing mechanisms); istoflogosi. Systemic effects of inflammation. REPAIR PROCESS: regeneration (tissue proliferative potential, growth factors: epidermal growth factor [EGF], transformant [TGFbeta], similar insulin [IGF], platelet derivation [PDGF], fibroblasts [FGF], interactions With matrix and other cells) substitution with connective tissue and angiogenesis. Wound repair NEOPLASTIC GROWTH: General characteristics of the neoplasms (information on incidence, mortality and survival, tumor classification and nomenclature); Hyperplasia, neoplasia, anaplasia and dysplasia. Viral and cellular oncogenes, oncosoppressor genes. Neoplastic phenotype: phenotypic heterogeneity and genomic instability. Initiation, promotion of the neoplastic process (carcinogenic stages or cancerogenesis as a continuous process). The progression of the neoplastic process (neoplastic latency, neoplastic invasion, metastases).

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