B9285 - BIOCHIMICA CLINICA

Learning outcomes

He/she knows the main clinical biochemistry analytical methods for the analysis of biomarkers in serum/plasma and urine using automated analysers in the clinical biochemistry laboratory and knows how to evaluate their usefulness and applicability in the diagnostic field. Is able to correctly perform the main analytical methods for the analysis of clinical biochemical biomarkers in serum and urine. Is also able to write, read and interpret a biochemical-clinical analysis report, drawing from its useful information for the diagnosis and prognosis of the most common veterinary pathologies.

Course contents

The Integrated Course "GENERAL PATHOLOGY OF VETERINARY RELEVANT SPECIES" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.6, 1.7, 1.8

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE:

For a better understanding of the content covered in the course, it is recommended that the student has already acquired knowledge related to C.I B9087 THE CELL AND ITS FUNCTIONS.

SPECIFIC CONTENT OF THE TEACHING:

The teaching program: B9285 - BIOCHIMICA CLINICA by Giulia Andreani is structured as follows:

Theoretical lessons (10 hours):

• Urinalysis: physicochemical examination of urine and assessment of urinary sediment; quantitative (UP/C ratio) and qualitative assessment of proteinuria (SDS-AGE and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis); study and interpretation of the urinary proteome in various domestic and non-conventional animal species under physiological conditions (2 hours).
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): manual and automated cell counting; hemoglobin measurement; determination of erythrocyte indices; blood smear: preparation, staining, leukocyte differential count assessment, platelet estimation, reticulocyte count (2 hours).
• Serum enzymatic markers: review of concepts in enzymatic diagnostics; hepatic enzymatic markers and assay methods (potential topic for small-group laboratory activities); study of potential variations in serum enzymatic activity during disease states (2 hours).
• Non-enzymatic serum markers of hepatic and renal function and markers of glucose metabolism (2 hours).
• Serum proteins: colorimetric techniques for measuring total serum protein and albumin; study and interpretation of the serum proteome in relation to inflammatory or neoplastic states (2 hours).

Practical Exercises (3 sessions of 2 hours each for 4 groups of students):

• Interactive discussion of hematological and biochemical test results
• Discussion of clinicopathological cases with colleagues of the Integrated Course and student groups
• Performance of an electrophoretic assay and interpretation of the result.

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Consultation of the following texts is recommended for the study of topics of particular interest. Morover, students could consider to buy the suggested textbooks, useful also per other clinical courses. Specifically, the suggested textbooks are:

Brooks M.B. ed. "Schalm's Veterinary Hematology" 7. ed Hoboken, NJ : Wiley Blackwell, 2022

MG Kerr Veterinary Laboratory Medicine, 2nd Edition, Blackwell Science Ed..

Villiers E. Ristic J. Gli esami di laboratorio. Indicazioni, esecuzione, interpretazione. Cane e gatto. A cura di S. Paltrinieri , A. Giordano, F. Dondi BSAVA Ed.

J.J. Kaneko, J.W. Harvey, M.L. Bruss - Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals. AP Press, sixth edition, 2008.

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions.

Usually, the course is held in presence in part ex cathedra (10 hours) and in part as practical work (6 hours with student divided in 4 shifts).

The lectures will take place with the help of power point presentations and the contents of each topic will be completed with presentation of clinical cases, discussions of papers and game based learning in order to encourage interaction between teacher and students.

The practical lessons in the laboratory will be carried out by dividing the students into groups, to each of whom the same hours of activity will be dedicated. Frequency of practical activities requires participation and passing of the final test for specific training on safety and health in the places of study carried out in e-learning mode for modules 1 and 2 and in synchronous online mode (with the possibility of registration between October and January of each academic year) for module 3. Information on the dates and methods of attendance of module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the study course website.

The objective of the practical lessons is to provide students with the skills necessary to independently perform a laboratory diagnostic protocol; for this reason, the single student can apply different protocols of biochemical tests. To facilitate the learning process, each student will be provided with a small lecture note with protocols, which will be briefly explained in frontal mode and which must subsequently be applied in practical activities; the lecture notes will also contain worksheets, which each student will have to complete, collecting the instrumental results obtained from their experimental test; at the end of the practical activity, students must be able to process the data collected and to discuss the final results in group work.

To be able to attend the practical activities carried out in the educational laboratory it is mandatory to wear a lab coat. When necessary, PPE will also be provided for the performance of specific activities, such as for example disposable gloves and safety glasses.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning in GENERAL PATHOLOGY OF VETERINARY RELEVANT SPECIES (C.I.) consists of 2 parts: a written exam on "Immunopathology and General Oncology," "General Pathology and Pathophysiology of Domestic Animals," and "Clinical Biochemistry," and a practical exam that includes slides of general pathology, immunopathology, and general oncology. The two parts take place separately.

a) Practical exam

The purpose of the practical exam is to evaluate whether the student is able to recognize an organ lesion and describe it using appropriate terminology, as well as to verify the acquisition of specific practical and communicative skills. It is based on the recognition of a histological preparation in digital format, among those that the student has had available during the practical lessons of General Pathology and Pathophysiology of Domestic Animals and Immunopathology and General Oncology. The preparations can be found on the educational portal, on the site https://unibo.smartzoom.com/ and https://www.askjpc.org/vspo/. The practical exam is considered passed when the candidate is given a positive suitability assessment. The practical test will precede the written one by a few days, and access to the latter will only be granted after passing the practical test.

b) Written exam

The purpose of the written exam for the integrated course consists of a multiple-choice test, which includes 100 questions on the topics covered by all the teachings that make up the integrated course and is aimed at verifying the acquisition of the expected knowledge, as indicated in the course objectives. In the test, there are 60 questions on General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 20 questions on Immunopathology and General Oncology, and 20 questions on Clinical Biochemistry. Students have 2 hours to complete the written exam. Each correct answer is worth 1 point, 0 points will be assigned for an incorrect or unanswered question. To pass the integrated course exam in each subject, it is necessary to answer correctly at least 60% of the questions for each of the three subjects that make up the integrated course.

During the exam, the use of support materials or devices such as calculators, tablets, smartwatches, or computers is not allowed, except as permitted by the instructor.

Regarding the assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The communication of the written exam result takes place on AlmaEsami, within 5 working days.

The exam is considered passed if a positive result is obtained in all the required tests and the final grade is given by the weighted average of the grades obtained in the different parts of the exam, expressed in thirtieths. It is necessary to obtain a minimum final grade of 18/30.

A negative evaluation does not result in a grade being assigned, but only a judgment (withdrawn or failed) recorded on the electronic report compiled on AlmaEsami; therefore, it does not affect the student's academic record.

The evaluations of the individual tests and the final exam grade will be published on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) of the grading instructor within 5 working days from the exam date.

The student can refuse the grade once, by informing the grading professor via email within 5 working days.

The instructor responsible for recording grades for this course is Professor Luciana Mandrioli.

Students can register for exam sessions thru AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). The exam sessions are offered within the windows indicated in the academic calendar. Additional exam sessions are reserved for students who are not on track to graduate.

Students with SLD or with temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the relevant University office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti). It will be their responsibility to propose any necessary adjustments to the interested students, which must still be submitted, with a 15-day notice, for the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate their appropriateness also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, videos, dedicated software, in-class quizzes, Smartzoom; moreover for practical lessons, educational laboratory equipped with suitable instruments (spectrophotometers, microscopes, power supplies, centrifuges, electrophoretic cells) with individual workstations.

In case of difficulties in understanding the subject, the teacher is available to meet with the student for a clarification interview by appointment via email (please see Giulia Andreani website).

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Andreani