This issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition rounds out another year devoted to documenting practice perspectives and applied research projects in clinical nutrition and dietetics. This issue also recognizes the enormous contributions of our reviewers who share their time and expertise to shape this peer-reviewed journal. For the past 5 years, I have also benefited from an outstanding publisher at Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Sandy Kasko, who has been a guiding force in the expansion of journal features, a new cover, and publishing advancements. Our new publisher is Terry Materese.

Evidence-based practice has been a priority of health professional organizations, including the need to evaluate the best approach to implementing evidence-based practice. Trostler and her colleagues examined a training program and materials developed for assisting dietitians in implementing a project that supports dietitians in instituting procedures for resting metabolic rate determinations. They reported the evaluation process and highlighted implications for future research projects. In addition, a second article looked at critical thinking skills to decide whether to measure or estimate resting metabolic rates when implementing practice guidelines. They concluded that dietitians in the Dietetics Practice Based Research Network made decisions at the patient level on the basis of their knowledge of accuracy, patient preferences, and whether a change would result in better patient outcomes.

A content validation of nutrition diagnoses was conducted by Enrione to determine whether the definition, etiologies, and signs and symptoms of the American Dietetic Association's nutrition diagnoses were appropriate. The 153 registered dietitians who participated understood the terminology and validated the diagnoses above the 80% level, except for 1 diagnosis.

A cross-sectional perspective by Tatum et al investigated the perceptions of registered dietitians on their educational needs and reasons for pursuing graduate education. They found differences in perceived needs for advanced clinical nutrition education according to various demographic characteristics. A future investigation may be warranted that explores the

needs of the various demographic subgroups as they progress in different stages of their professional careers.

Worobey and his colleagues conducted a study to determine maternal and infant characteristics to see the relationship to frequency of infant feedings by a cohort of 67 Mexican mothers. Number of infant crying episodes was the one factor found to be predictive of the initiation of infant feeding. Women, Infants, and Children program personnel-including nutritionists-should consider alternate strategies for quieting infants if increased weight gain seems to be a problem for their clientele.

Mindful eating for head and neck cancer survivors has been explored as a clinical intervention. Several observations were offered on the basis of the experiences of a registered dietitian trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Meyers and Ott encouraged outcome-based research to help determine whether sustainable behavior change would be achievable.

Parekh provided an incisive review of epidemiological studies that investigated dietary fats in relation to age-related macular degeneration. Her analysis indicated variation in total fat intake and the types of fat consumed. She concluded that a low fat, heart-healthy diet with high omega 3 polyunsaturated fats is prudent advice, based on the current evidence.

Benson-Davies and Quigley examined the food aversions and taste changes following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. A case study of one of their patients who exhibited many of the classical changes that can occur was presented. They emphasized the need for standardizing nutritional guidelines pre- and post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Thank you for your comments and contributions to Topics in Clinical Nutrition. Again, special appreciation to our publisher, Sandy Kasko, for her expertise and inspiration as we look forward to working with our new publisher, Terry Materese.

Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA

Editor