The features of this issue of TICN addresses the concept of inflammation and its effect and interpretation of malnutrition. Edited by one of our esteemed editorial board members, Dr Charles Mueller, 4 articles consider revised definitions of malnutrition, the role of inflammation and implications for clinical nutrition practice. The other articles in this issue illustrate the scope of applied nutrition research and the diverse practice of dietetics.

Osorio revisits the concept of kwashiorkor in children and updates us on its relationship to inflammation. The etiology of kwashiorkor is unknown even though the syndrome was first characterized in 1930. She posits an approach that includes both malnutrition and inflammation and recommends interdisciplinary collaboration to solve this critical pediatric problem in Third World countries.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection has long been associated with malnutrition and wasting disease. Wasserman and colleagues review the implications of chronic immune activation and inflammation that can impact energy metabolism and protein turnover in the body. They recommend that "clinical management requires appreciation of subjective, physical, and biochemical parameters, as well as addressing factors associated with food insecurity."

Anderson and Suero highlight inflammatory metabolism and nutrition considerations for high-risk elderly patients following fractures of the femur and surgery. They cite some studies that address malnutrition pre- and postsurgery and encourage attention to nutritional status and tailoring nutrition support for individual needs, certainly important to the dietitian and geriatric team providing care.

Bernard and her colleagues target hypertension, a major public health problem that affects adults, especially African American men and women. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data, they analyzed dietary intakes of 4094 African Americans and found little variation for those with normal blood pressure, prehypertension and hypertension and intakes of magnesium, calcium, and potassium were below recommended levels. They emphasize ways to improve culturally specific diet patterns and promote diet and lifestyle interventions.

A group from the University of Pittsburgh conducted a pilot study with 22 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Using dietary recalls and the Nutrition Data System for Research, they found many dietary deficits but few differences in diet intakes by day of the week. Overall, calories, protein, several vitamins, and zinc were less than recommended levels and sodium was higher than the recommended level. The team suggests additional research to better serve the nutritional needs of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Quick and Byrd-Bredbenner designed a project to examine body dissatisfaction of young adult women by examining photographs of fashion models with high and low body mass indexes. More than 400 women of varying races, body mass index, and disordered eating risk participated and the authors found the viewing of professional photographs reduced body dissatisfaction among women overall.

Vitamin C and its labile nature have often been studied in the food service industry. Konas and colleagues took samples of green beans and carrots from the usual practices of food delivery in congregate elder care facilities in New Jersey. The findings showed a lack of consistency in preparing the vegetables and in the content of vitamin C retained in the products. They expressed a need for improving nutrient databases that incorporate varied food preparation methods.

A review of the evidence related to breast-fed infants and vitamin D supplementation is presented by Charlene DiFilippo. Although several studies in this review found exclusively breast-fed infants were deficient in vitamin D, a new report by the Institute of Medicine on calcium and vitamin D questions the measurement of vitamin D sufficiency for disease prevention and should prompt additional research.

Lastly, we recognize the enormous contributions of our reviewers in 2010 who have willingly shared their expertise and time. Some members of the Editorial Board who helped shape TICN have also stepped down in the past year and we thank them for their hard work and many years of service: Sachiko St. Jeor, PhD, RD, FADA, Nancy S. Wellman, PhD, RD, FADA, and Ann Hunter, PhD, RD, LD, FADA. We are most grateful to our publisher Kathleen Phelan and the LWW Tech team who have supported us through the adoption of online submissions through the editorial manager system.

Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA

Editor