Effect of caloric restriction on plasma melatonin levels in aged rhesus macaques.

In this study, we examined the 24-hour plasma melatonin patterns of young adult (∼11 years of age) and old (∼24 years of age) rhesus macaques, and determined how they would be influenced by 30% caloric restriction (CR). Well-defined 24-hour plasma melatonin rhythms were observed in all the males but only the old animals showed significant attenuation of night-time melatonin levels. Moreover, 4.5 years of CR failed to prevent the age-associated decline in plasma melatonin levels in the old males and caused a significant decrease in the young adult males. Similar plasma melatonin rhythms were also observed in all the females but no age-related decline was detected, and 2 years of CR had no obvious effect on plasma melatonin levels. If anything, there was a trend for the CR to decrease melatonin levels in the young adult females. Taken together, the results fail to show any clear benefit of CR on plasma melatonin levels in old rhesus macaques and may even be detrimental to plasma melatonin levels in young adults.

Integrating oral health into the interdisciplinary health sciences curriculum.

Oral health inequities for older adults warrant new models of interprofessional education and collaborative practice. The Innovations in Interprofessional Oral Health: Technology, Instruction, Practice and Service curricular model at Bouvé College of Health Sciences aims to transform health professions education and primary care practice to meet global and local oral health challenges. Innovations in simulation and experiential learning help to advance interprofessional education and integrate oral health care as an essential component of comprehensive primary health care. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly clinic is an exemplary model of patient-centeredness and interprofessional collaborative practice for addressing unmet oral health needs of its patient population.