As the Annual Review of Nutrition enters its second quarter-century of publication, the abundance of topics that need to be included in each volume steadily increases. Our objective is to cover the spectrum of the field, which, for the nutritional sciences, is extensive. As an aid to make selections for chapter invitations, the Editorial Committee of the Annual Review of Nutrition uses specific focused categories—e.g., energy metabolism, clinical nutrition, molecular genetics—to identify topics and authors. The Editorial Committee for volume 26 was composed of Dennis Bier, Barbara Bowman, Kathleen Rasmussen, Dale Romsos, John Suttie, Steven Zeisel, and Bob Cousins.

In the prefatory chapter of the current volume, George F. Cahill chronicles his life in biomedical research on the role of free fatty acids in energy metabolism and the metabolic importance of D-β-hydroxybutyric acid. He describes his involvement at the top levels of academic and research administration, including his years at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Wolfgang & Lane review the control of energy balance by the central nervous system through monitoring intermediates of fatty acid metabolism that modify feeding behavior. Whelan & Rust review new dietary sources of n-3 fatty acids and their use in food fortification. Fritsche describes immune response modulation by omega-3 fatty acids and evidence from clinical trials on their use for control of immunological disorders and as anti-inflammatory agents. Brunham et al. describe how variants of the ABCA1 gene influence the atherogenic effects of HDL cholesterol. Hoppe et al. review the evidence on the stimulatory effect of cows' milk intake on linear growth in children. Modification of type 1 diabetes by the source of dietary protein is reviewed by Lefebvre et al. Siroen and colleagues describe the clinical significance of asymmetric dimethylarginine, an inhibitor of the arginine-nitric oxide pathway. The latest information on the etiology of hereditary hemochromatosis through genes responsible for iron homeostasis is described by Pietrangelo. Nemeth & Ganz discuss the role of the regulatory peptide hepcidin on systemic iron homeostasis and its role in the anemia of inflammation. The causes of maternal obesity and the effect of poor glycemic control on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes are discussed by King. Choline as a required factor in successful fetal development and choline-related organ dysfunction in adults are reviewed by Zeisel. The nutritional epidemiology of thyroid hormones and iodine deficiency, and the influence of iron status on thyroid function are presented in chapters by Vanderpas and Zimmermann, respectively. Sodium handling by the kidney and diseases associated with abnormal salt handling are discussed by O'Shaughnessy & Karet. The growth-promoting and protective effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 on the gastrointestinal tract are the focus of the chapter by Estall & Drucker. Rankinen & Bouchard discuss genomewide surveys to identify genes responsible for differences in energy intake and eating behavior phenotypes. Hansen et al. discuss the biologic mediators that may provide a mechanistic basis for the benefits of bariatric surgery. The metabolic changes observed in cancer-associated cachexia are placed within a metabolic management perspective in the chapter by Baracos. Beneficial outcomes of enteral diets for select groups of critically ill patients are reviewed by Kudsk. Nutritional support during critical illness and beneficial effects of specialized formulations are similarly discussed by Debaveye & Van den Berghe. The scope and increasing prevalence of food allergy, and its diagnosis through allergen detection, are reviewed in the chapter by Lee & Burks.

The robust roster of chapters in volume 26, written by internationally recognized authorities, continues the tradition of providing the latest information for the fields of experimental and clinical nutrition expected of the Annual Review of Nutrition. We thank our Production Editor, Lisa Dean, for her dedication to the ARN, and Sam Gubins, Annual Reviews President, for his continuing support of this important series.

Robert J. Cousins

Editor