No biologic subject covers a greater span for study and application than does nutrition. The consummate nutritionist should have at least some appreciation of matters molecular and physiologic in order to understand something of the disposition of nutrients within a functional organism, especially one as complex as the human. It seems appropriate, then, to remind the reader that each year there is not only a compilation of some advancements in our discipline as reflected by chapters contained within the current issue of an Annual Review of Nutrition, but also there are topics of interest to nutritionists that are to be found in those volumes of Annual Reviews that cover findings in other titled disciplines, e.g. biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, medicine, and public health. We call your attention, therefore, to “Related Articles” listed on page x.

This particular volume ranges through the usual general categories. The prefatory chapter is written by D.M. Hegsted, who has fostered the advancement of nutrition. Updates on so-called energy metabolism can be gained from reading about leptin, as addressed in chapters by Ruth B.S. Harris and by Baile et al, mitochondrial uncoupling proteins by Kozak & Harper, and the transcriptional control of adipogenesis by Rangwala & Lazar. Among selections on nutrients, a tour de force on oligosaccharides in human milk is presented by Kunz et al. Several chapters address lipids and one by Lee & Lin considers present arguments for the role of dietary fat in breast cancer. With expanding research on apoptosis, there is a timely chapter that is written by Watson et al on the diet relationship. Only now have all the steps with regard to intermediates and enzymes been pieced together in the biosynthesis of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), as addressed by Bacher et al. Several chapters bring us up-to-date on inorganic nutrients, particularly calcium, iron, and copper. As concerns other food components, both the benefits and the metabolism of alcohol are reviewed by German & Walzem and by Lieber, respectively. There are other subjects addressed by experts who continue to advance our discipline.

Reputedly the last message of the dying Pasteur, spoken to his devoted assistants surrounding his bed in a home near Saint Cloud, was “Il faut travailler.” Indeed there is much work yet to be done in the advancement of nutritional science and its extension to applications in the pursuance of better health. We cannot cover all worthy subjects within the scope of any one volume of an Annual Review of Nutrition. This is inevitable given the limitation of space and constraints of what is timely and who should write on a topic. Only over a span of several volumes can an even or balanced coverage be achieved. The reminder to our readership is that we have an Editorial Committee with mixed interests and expertise, which is attentive to your suggestions. My thanks and the credit for content of each volume go to this Committee. The fact that we are produced in a timely, readable timely fashion really is due to Lisa Dean, the production editor, Roberta Parmer, the copyeditor, and Dr. Sam Gubins as president of Annual Reviews.

Donald B. McCormick, Editor