66430 - Veterinary General Pathology and Molecular Oncogenesis

Learning outcomes

The student knows cell and tissue pathologic processes, particularly molecular pathogenetic processes in regressive, defensive, neoplastic transformation, and vascular disorders. The student can recognize a pathologic process.

Course contents

At the end of the teaching, the student will know the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to the establishment of purely functional to morphologically overt alterations. He/she knows the terminology defining regressive (atrophies, degeneration, apoptosis, and necrosis) and inflammatory processes, as well as the concepts related to their pathogenesis. Is able to apply the general concepts acquired to the pathophysiology of the apparatuses and to recognize, through histological preparations, the main lesions. At the end of the study, students know the underlying tissue damage mechanisms at the base of hypersensitivity reactions and transplant rejection, the mechanisms by which autoimmune diseases materialize and immunodeficiencies, and the development of tumors (morphology, invasiveness, metastasis) and the pathogenetic mechanism of neoplastic transformation. The student is able to recognize the main tumor types on histological preparations.

Prof. Brunetti will verbalize the final exam.

 

Veterinary General Pathology

Course presentation: training objectives and expected outcomes. Study materials. Examination modalities. Acute cell damage, the concept of cell degeneration. Classification and pathogenesis of degeneration with water accumulation, degeneration with protein accumulation. Classification of lipidosis. Degeneration of connective tissues, Necrosis, Apoptosis, Atrophy. Inflammation, acute inflammation, classification. Causes of chronicity, chronic inflammation. Regeneration and repair of lesions. Hypersensitivity of I, II, III, and IV types and transplantation.

 

Molecular oncology

Course presentation: training objectives and expected outcomes. Study materials. Examination modalities. Definition of tumor, classification of tumors, benign and malignant tumors, differentiation and anaplasia, growth rate, neoplastic stem cells and tumor cell lines, local invasion, pathways of metastatic spread. Molecular basis of tumors, alterations essential for malignant transformation, the normal cell cycle, self-sufficiency of growth signals, oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and oncoproteins. Oncosuppressor genes, Evasion of apoptosis. Telomerase, Development, and maintenance of angiogenesis, Invasion, and metastasis, Altered regulation of tumor-associated genes, Chromosomal modifications, Vascular dissemination, and tumor cell implantation. Carcinogens and their cellular interactions: chemical carcinogenesis (steps of chemical carcinogenesis, promotion of chemical carcinogenesis, chemical carcinogens). Ultraviolet rays, ionizing radiation. Carcinogenesis by microorganisms, DNA viruses, RNA viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, tumor antigens, antitumor immunomodulation, immunosurveillance. Clinical features of tumors: effects of tumors on the host (local and hormonal effects, neoplastic cachexia, paraneoplastic syndromes); grade and stage of tumors, laboratory diagnosis of tumors.

The detailed syllabus is available on the Course of Study website.

Non-attending students are advised to study the same topics in the recommended texts

 

Readings/Bibliography

Material done in the classroom by the lecturer: available on Virtual (Necessary and not sufficient on its own, it is to be supplemented with what is explained in lecture).

Part of General Pathology and Molecular Oncogenesis.

Required texts if you have not attended class:

• Kumar V., Abbas A.K., Aster J.C. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic basis of disease, 10th ed, 2020 (Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia).
• Stevens A., Lowe J.S., Young B.: Wheater Istopatologia essenziale - Testo Atlante. III Edizione, 2004 (Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano)
• Zachary J.F. McGavin M.D.: Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease,6th ed., 2016 (Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri, USA).

Teaching methods

There are 40 hours of frontal lectures and 8 hours of practical classes.

The frontal lectures are conducted in the classroom with the help of a computer and video projector; an image database (Noas'h arkive) will also be used to view macroscopic and microscopic images of the presented lesions. Numerous videos found on youtube on the topics covered are also considered; the videos are in English, so in addition to strengthening visual memory thanks to the animations, English language learning is practiced.

The hands-on classes will be in a classroom equipped with optical microscopes and a microscope connected to a video camera and projector for interactive explanations of the slides provided. For each slide, the student has at his or her disposal a sheet with a description of the preparation and the lecturer for any necessary explanation. In addition, a website is available to the student: https://unibo.smartzoom.com/s1241/login?redirect_to=https://unibo.smartzoom.com/s1241/ where the lecturer uploads the scanned slides used during the microscope exercises and the student with his or her unibo credentials, can view the scans at any time.

In view of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at this training activity requires all students to perform modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and participate in module 3 of specific training on safety and health in the workplace. Directions on the dates and mode of attendance of module 3 can be found in the appropriate section of the course of study website. Individual protective equipment is not required for access to the teaching laboratory.

The purpose of the hands-on lectures is twofold:

- To familiarize the student with the light microscope - acquisition of professionalizing skills;

- Develop the ability to recognize specific organs and lesions, using correct language for histological description - acquisition of diagnostic and communication skills

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of a minimum of 3 theoretical questions and an oral response. It lasts approximately 30 minutes. Attending class and interacting with the lecturer promotes learning what is explained. No papers are due. The examination has a grade of 18 to 30L.

To be promoted, it is necessary to answer all three questions sufficiently or answer two out of three questions excellently.

Final Grade Grading:

Substantially comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis and connection, full command of specific terminology, and ability to argue and self-reflect (30-30L).

Preparation on many topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis, and mastery of specific terminology (25-29).

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyze independently only on purely executive issues; expression in correct language (20-24).

Preparation on a few topics covered in the course and ability to analyze emerging only with the help of the lecturer; expression in the overall correct language (18-19).

The student has the right to refuse to verbalize the proposed positive grade at least 1 time (according to the University Teaching Regulations ART.16, paragraph 5). At least 15 must elapse between one test and the next exam.

Students with disabilities or DSA should contact the lecturer by email to request adaptations to the teaching in the class phase or in the final evaluation phase, entering in C/C the reference personnel by whom he/she is followed (of the appropriate disability or DSA service) and the Department contact person, who is currently Prof. Fabiana Trombetti.

Teaching tools

Projector connected to a light microscope, PC, youtube video, specific websites.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Brunetti