Clinical Biochemistry II

Recommended Prerequisites

 Cellular and Molecular Biology; Biochemistry; Physiology; Physiopathology; Immunology; Hematology; Analytical Instrumentation; Analytical Chemistry.

Teaching Methods

 The teaching strategy is based mainly on traditional lectures integrated with problem-solving classes (TP) focused on the discussion of particular problems and clinical reports in the scope of theoretical topics, aiming an active learning and acquisition of integrated knowledge. By this way, students should gain interpretation skills to understand the use of the most widely used biochemical parameters and biochemical assays in routine laboratory diagnosis. The critical learning of the most widely diagnostic methodologies is also facilitated by the TP classes.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit is one of two parts of Clinical Biochemistry of MAC and its program complements that of Clinical Biochemistry I. As this 1st unit, Clinical Biochemistry II encompasses two components: one, concerned with the application of previous acquired knowledge to the understanding of pathophysiologic and biochemical mechanisms underlying changes in laboratory biochemical data, associated to human disease; another, aimed to confer knowledge about the basic work in a clinical laboratory and about the most common methodologies.
Thus, the main objectives are to develop knowledge and basic skills for working in a clinical biochemistry laboratory. At the end, students should be able:
i)To interpret the clinical significance of changes in biochemical data widely used in routine laboratory diagnosis and the mechanisms underlying such changes
ii)To know and to understand the methodologies used in a clinical laboratory, in the context of the program of this curricular unit

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

 Lectures
1. Atherogenesis, atherosclerotic lesions and cardiovascular risk: biochemical mechanisms and laboratory risk markers. Biochemical markers of cardiac lesion.
2. Renal pathophysiology and biochemical evaluation of renal function.
3. Hyperuricemia and gout.
4. Hepatic pathophysiology: biochemical exploration.
5. Pancreatic and gastrointestinal pathophysiology: biochemical exploration.
6. Trace elements: biochemistry, clinical significance and analytical methodologies.
7. Bone metabolism and its laboratory exploration.
8. Inherited metabolic disorders: prenatal and postnatal laboratorial diagnosis.
9. Endocrinology: laboratory diagnosis of changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, in adrenal and gonadal functions.

Problem-solving classes
-Case study discussions and interpretation of laboratory data, in the scope of the above topics.
-Laboratory evaluation of biochemical parameters and biochemical assays, in the scope of same topics: methodologies and principles.

Head Lecturer(s)

Bárbara Silva Rocha

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: A final written exam, including the theoretical and theoretical-practical components: 100.0%

Bibliography

1. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (7th Edition). Burtis, C. and Bruns, D. E., Eds. Elsevier Saunders (2015).
2. Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis and Correlation. Kaplan, L.A., Pesce, A. J, Kazmierczak, S. C., Eds. Mosby Inc., St Louis (Elsevier) (2010).
3. Clinical Biochemistry. An illustrated colour text (5th Edition). Gaw, A., Murphy, M. J., Srivastava, R., Cowan, R. A., O’Reilly, D.St J. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier (2013).
4. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods (22nd Edition), McPherson and Pincus, Eds. Elsevier Saunders (2011).
5. Textbook of Biochemistry, with Clinical Correlations (7th Edition), Devlin, T. M., Editor. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., New York (2011).
6. Clinical Detective Stories. A Problem-Based Approach to Clinical Cases in Energy and Acid-Base Metabolism. Halperin, M., Rolleston, F. Portland Press, London.
7. Artigos científicos seleccionados /Selected scientific papers.