00768 - General Pathology

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to allow the students the knowledge of the basic pathogenetic mechanisms underlying human diseases, focusing on environmental diseases caused by physical and chemical agents.

Course contents

Introduction to general pathology: homeostasis, etiology and pathogenesis

 

Acquired etiologic factors: chemical agents (ethanol, tobacco smoke, metals, pneumoconiosis); physical agents (thermal injuries, ionizing and nonionizing radiations).

 

Cellular adaptations: atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia

 

Cell injury and cell death: causes, general biochemical mechanisms; necrosis and apoptosis

 

Acute inflammation: vascular changes; cellular events; chemical mediators; outcomes of acute inflammation: resolution, fibrosis

 

Chronic inflammation: definition and causes, persistence of injurious agents (non-specific chronic inflammation, chronic suppurative inflammation), primary chronic inflammation (granulomatous diseases).

 

Healing and repair: wound healing.

 

Systemic effects of inflammation: acute phase reactions, fever.

 

Immunology and immunopathology: innate and specific immunity; primary and secondary lymphoid organs; maturation of lymphocytes; antigens; primary and secondary immune response; cells of immune system; presentation of antigens; immunoglobulins; complement system; ABO system; antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity; major histocompatibility complex; transplantation; hypersensitivity reactions; autoimmunity.

 

Neoplasia: definitions and nomenclature, characteristics of benign and malignant neoplasms (differentiation and anaplasia, rate of growth, local invasion and metastasis). Epidemiology (cancer incidence, geographic and environmental factors, heredity). Molecular basis of cancer (oncogenes, cancer-suppressor genes, genes that regulate apoptosis). Biology of tumor growth (kinetic, angiogenesis, tumor progression, mechanisms of invasion and metastasis). Etiology of cancer (chemical, viral and microbial carcinogenesis)

 

Hemodynamic disorders: Edema, ischemia and infarction

 

Readings/Bibliography

Text: PATOLOGIA GENERALE (Maurizio Parola) EdiSES

Teaching methods

The university course is based on lectures.

Slides are available for downloading at the University web site the day before each lesson.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Teaching tools

Lectures given by the professor (video-projector and PC).

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Brigotti