02359 - General Pathology and Physiopathology (B)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• clearly understands the concepts of disease, etiology and pathogenesis; they know the etiology of pathological processes and understand the pathogenetic mechanism of their development;
• knows the fundamental biological defenses implemented in response to pathogens, the morphological alterations these pathogens cause in cells and tissues and the systemic and functional consequences for the organism;
• is capable of linking molecular, morphological, microbiological, immunological and physiological knowledge with the etiopathogenesis of pathological processes and the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms of the organism;
• is able to use basic biomedical, general pathological and pathophysiological knowledge for the critical interpretation of experimental and clinical data;
• is capable of understanding the underlying reasons for the signs and symptoms of pathological processes and possesses the foundation for a clinical practice based on objective evidence.

Course contents

Cell Injury

• non-ionizing and ionizing radiation
• High and low temperatures
• Cigarette smoke
• Ethanol abuse

Cellular and Extracellular Pathology

• Morphological degenerations
• Hypertrophy
• Hyperplasia
• Atrophy
• Metaplasia
• Programmed cell death
• Cellular senescence
• Neoplastic transformation

Acute Inflammation

• Vascular phenomena
• Cellular phenomena
• Types of exudates
• Resolution

Systemic Inflammation

• Fever
• Metabolic remodeling
• Sepsis

Chronic Inflammation

• Nonspecific
• Granulomatous
• Tuberculosis
• Wound regeneration and repair
• Sclerosis
• Cirrhosis

Dystrophic and Metastatic Calcifications

Amyloidosis

General Pathophysiology

• Edema
• Hypoxia and cyanosis
• Hypertension
• Shock
• Infarction

Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Atherosclerosis and Complications

Diabetes Mellitus and Complications

Diabesity and Meta-inflammation

Aging and Inflammaging

Readings/Bibliography

Robbins-Cotran, The pathological basis of disease, 9th edition, Elsevier.

Pontieri, Rossi, Frati: Patologia Generale, 4° edizione, Piccin

Teaching methods

Lectures. Students are recommended to use the teaching materials available on Virtuale

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and aims to assess the knowledge acquired by the student on the course topics in order to achieve the learning objectives. The exam will evaluate the student's ability to frame the general pathology or general pathophysiology topic they are questioned on and to present it by making the necessary logical-deductive connections, also in relation to specific morphological alterations. The coherence of the conceptual sequence and the appropriateness of the scientific language are further elements of evaluation. The exam for the General Pathology and Pathophysiology course includes the observation and oral description of a microscopic slide up to the identification of the specific histopathological pattern.

Grading Scale

• Fail (Insufficient): Incomplete preparation. Serious and repeated conceptual errors.
• 18–19: Knowledge of basic concepts without serious gaps. Presentation of concepts and language are acceptable overall.
• 20–24: Knowledge of basic concepts without gaps. Ability to analyze and make connections with partial autonomy. Fair presentation of concepts and language.
• 25–29: Good or very good preparation, or even excellent preparation but with minor inaccuracies in presentation that prevent a full grade. Ability to analyze and make connections independently. Presentation of concepts in the correct sequence and mastery of scientific language.
• 30–30L (with Honors): Full, consolidated, and flawless preparation on the topics covered during the course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and make connections independently. Concepts presented in the correct sequence and full mastery of the specific language.

Exam Structure and Final Grade

The exam will cover the topics addressed during lectures and will be taken with the Professor who taught the course. Each student will therefore take two exams in General Pathology and Pathophysiology, each contributing 50% to the final grade. During one of the two exams, the General Pathology Laboratory practical test will also take place.

The final grade will be calculated as the mathematical average of the two grades obtained in the individual tests, rounded up (e.g., 26.5 = 27). Honors (lode) will be awarded to students who have been recommended for honors by at least one of the two Professors, and only if a full grade (30/30) was achieved in the other part of the exam.

Study Materials

The lecture slides can be downloaded from the "Virtuale" website.

Teaching tools

The course slides can be downloaded from the "Virtuale" website.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Pirazzini