Teaching code

4S010612

Credits

9

Coordinator

Francesco De Sanctis

Language

Italian

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

1. GENERAL PATHOLOGY: the course will develop topics of General Pathology preparatory to the understanding of the basic mechanisms of diseases. General Pathology is located at the crossroads between basic and clinical science. The course therefore aims to establish the essential links between clinical manifestations and fundamental mechanisms, facilitating the understanding of the conceptual basis of the disease.
Contents: The course is organized in 7 main topics. Will be explained: The general concepts of disease, pathology and etiopathogenesis; the basic cellular pathology; elements of oncology; inflammation; dysbiosis and inflammation; the immunological damage; the general pathology of wounds; haemostasis and the general pathology of blood vessels.

Examination methods: written exam (multiple choice quiz) to verify the overall degree of knowledge of the subject of this course;

2. NUTRITION AND IMMUNE SYSTEM: the course will develop topics of anatomy, cytologgy and biochemistry of the immune system and pathology of the immune system.
a. Organization of the immune system: Anatomy of the immune system: lymphoid organs in general (spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, bone marrow and thymus). Cytology of the immune system: classes of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and subsets of T lymphocytes. Antigens and antibodies. Natural killer cells and myeloid cells (neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells). Biochemistry of the immune system: immunoglobulins, cytokines, MHC molecules, organization of the T lymphocyte receptor (TCR).
b. Immune system physiology: 1. Antigen processing and presentation. 2. Adaptive responses: cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. 3. Cytokines and cellular cooperation. 4. Defense against infections. 5. Defensive and offensive responses. 6. Immunological tolerance. 7. Nutrition and immune system. 8. Role of the microbiota in the regulation of the immune response.
c. Pathology of the immune system: 1. Hypersensitivity. 2. Autoimmune diseases. 3. Immunodeficiency. 4. Immunity of tumors and impact of the microbiota on anti-tumor immunity. 5. Diet and microbiota 6. Nutrition, microbiota and inflammation. 7. Nutrition, microbiota and allergic responses.

Examination methods: oral test to verify the overall degree of knowledge of the subject of this course;


3. NUTRITION AND RHEUMATOLOGICAL DISEASES: according to the most recent classification, rheumatology deals with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal and immune systems. Such diseases are commonly characterized by inflammation and disability. There are numerous possible connections between nutrition and different rheumatological diseases. Generally, the two are linked by metabolic mechanisms. This is particularly true in many degenerative diseases of the bone and muscles or, in the case of crystal deposition diseases. In addition, nutrition is of utmost importance in inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, autoinflammatory diseases and other autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested a possible pathogenetic role of the intestinal microbiota, often conditioned by nutritional aspects, as well as food pollutants.
Specific objectives of the course are:
Knowledge of the anatomical-functional bases of joint, muscles and skeleton, as well as the physiology of connective tissues.
Knowledge of the main clinical manifestations of the different rheumatological diseases, including classification of rheumatological diseases, analysis of signs and symptoms; core instrumental and laboratory diagnostic investigations.
Knowledge of the epidemiology of the main rheumatological diseases
Knowledge of the pathophysiological bases of the rheumatic diseases and the possible correlations with the nutritional aspects
Knowledge of the pathophysiological rationale of the main preventive and therapeutic approaches of rheumatic diseases
Knowledge of preventive and therapeutic approaches in terms of nutrition and nutrition education

Examination methods: the assessment of learning objectives will be through an oral test. The test aims to verify the knowledge acquired and will also allow to evaluate the ability to correlate the various topics covered in the course, communication skills and the ability to solve problems of a practical nature. The answers will also be judged on the basis of the expositive capacity and the language used (appropriate scientific terminology).

Prerequisites and basic notions

Access to the exam, for the modules "nutrition and rheumatological diseases" and "General pathology" is allowed to students who have attended at least 80% of the lessons.

Bibliography

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

For the modules Nutrition and Rheumatological Diseases and General Pathology there is a written exam with multiple choice questions. For the module "Nutrition and Immune System" there is an oral exam