18041 - General and Molecular Pathology

Academic Year 2023/2024

Learning outcomes

The students will learn the etiology and the pathogenetic mechanisms of human diseases, the basic reactions to abnormal stimuli, the morphological changes they induce in cells and tissues, together with the systemic and functional consequences for the organism. The Students will acquire the appropriate knowledge of the disease's denomination and of medical terminology.


Course contents

Introduction to Pathology. The concept of health and disease, of aging, of etiology. Basis of medical terminology.

Cellular pathology. Cellular adaptations, reversible cell injury, apoptosis and necrosis. Inflammatory-reparative response. Etiology and classification of acute inflammation, chemical mediators, vascular changes and exudate formation, cellular events and phagocytosis. Chronic and granulomatous inflammation, tissue repair and wound healing, fibrosis. Systemic manifestations of inflammation: acute phase response and fever.

Immunopathology. Cells and tissues of the immune system. The complement system. Antigens and antibodies. Histocompatibility molecules. Hypersensitivity reactions. Transplant rejection. Immunologic tolerance. Mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.

Genetic diseases. Cytogenetic disorders involving autosomes and sex chromosomes. Transmission patterns of single-gene diseases: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked disorders. Disorders with multifactorial inheritance.

Tumors. Characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms. Tumour classification. The molecular basis of cancer. The multistep process of carcinogenesis. Metastasis. Molecular markers in solid tumors.

Physiopathology. Hemodynamic and vascular disorders. Thrombosis. Embolism. Diabetes.

Readings/Bibliography

  • Kumar V., Abbass A.K., Fausto N., Aster J.C. “Robbins - Fondamenti di Patologia e Fisiopatologia”, Edra Edizioni.

  • F. Celotti. "Patologia generale e Fisiopatologia" – EdiSES.

  • Maurizio Parola. "Patologia Generale ed Elementi di Fisiopatologia". EdiSES.

Teaching methods

Power Point support will be utilised during the lessons and a copy of it will be available for the Students.

Assessment methods

The final grade is defined, through an oral or written examination, on the average of the marks obtained in topics covered during the course. The evaluation will consider the capability to explain the contents in a synthetic and complete fashion.

The exam will consist of two open questions. In order to pass the test, it is mandatory to answer both questions satisfactorily.

The exam in written form will consist of 30 multiple choice questions (0.5 points per question) and 2 open questions (7.5 points per question).

In order to go through the final exam, the students must register in the electronic board respecting the deadline. Students that are not able to register can be admitted to the final proof anyway, provided they contact the professor by e-mail before the expected deadlin


Teaching tools

Lectures will be supplied on informatic supports (https://virtuale.unibo.it/)


Office hours

See the website of Dario De Biase

SDGs

Good health and well-being

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.