[Inter-rater reliability of healthcare professional skills' portfolio assessments: The Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality model].

Unlabelled: This study aims to determine the reliability of assessment criteria used for a portfolio at the Andalusian Agency for Healthcare Quality (ACSA).

Data: all competences certification processes, regardless of their discipline.

Period: 2010-2011.

Evidence of melatonin synthesis and release by mast cells. Possible modulatory role on inflammation.

Mast cells take part of armamentarium immunologic for host defense against parasitic and bacterial infections. They are derived from bone marrow progenitors and can be activated by immunological and chemical stimuli in order to get its degranulation. The activation of mast cells generates a signalling cascade leaded to the rapid release of vasoactives and pro-inflammatory mediators.

Evidence of immune system melatonin production by two pineal melatonin deficient mice, C57BL/6 and Swiss strains.

We evaluated two pineal melatonin deficient mice described in the literature, i.e., C57BL/6 and Swiss mice, as animal models for studying the immunomodulatory action of melatonin.

Age-related changes in melatonin synthesis in rat extrapineal tissues.

In the search of new therapeutic targets improving the quality of life of elderly, melatonin, "the chemical expression of darkness", seems to play a remarkable role in aging process possibly due to its antioxidant, immunoenhancer and anti-aging properties. The present study was designed to elucidate effects of aging in melatonin extrapineal synthesis and investigate evident age-related alterations in the action mechanisms involved. The presence of the two key enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) was analyzed in thymus, spleen, liver, kidney and heart of 3- and 12month-old rats using real time PCR as well as its functionality by enzymatic activity assays.

Decreased MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptor expression in extrapineal tissues of the rat during physiological aging.

Aging is a complex process associated with a diminished ability to respond to stress, a progressive increase in free radical generation and a decline in immune function. Melatonin, a molecule with a great functional versatility exerts anti-oxidant, oncostatic, immunomodulatory, and anti-aging properties. Melatonin levels drop during aging and it has been speculated that the loss of melatonin may accelerate aging.