18041 - General and Molecular Pathology

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.

Diseases of immunity. 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. Immunodeficiency 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.

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

 

Readings/Bibliography

Celotti F., "Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia", 2a edizione, Edises

Kumar V., Abbass A.K., Fausto N., Aster J.C. “Robbins - Fondamenti di Patologia e Fisiopatologia”, 9a edizione, Elsevier Italia 2010

Albi E., Ambesi-Impiombato F.S., Curcio F., Moncharmont B., Palese A. "Le Basi Cellulari e Molecolari delle Malattie". Edizioni Idelson-Gnocchi.

Pontieri G.M. "Elementi di Patologia Generale". Edizioni Piccin.

Teaching methods

Pdf or Power Point support will be utilised during the lessons and a copy of it will be available for the Students at the beginning of the Course. Interesting Pathology-related Internet locations will be available also.

Assessment methods

The final grade is defined, through an oral 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.

On request, it is possible to take the exam in written form. The test will consist of 30 multiple choice questions (0.5 points per question) and 2 open questions (7.5 points per question). Students who are willing to take the exam in writing way are kindly requested to notify by e-mail.

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 deadline.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supplied on informatic supports (http://iol.unibo.it/)

Office hours

See the website of Dario De Biase