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Sublethal heating can increase subsequent thermal resistance of bacteria, which may compromise the validity of thermal process validations for slow-roasted meats. Therefore, this research evaluated the accuracy of a traditional log-linear inactivation model, developed via prior laboratory-scale isothermal tests, and a novel path-dependent model accounting for sublethal injury, applied to pilot-scale slow cooking of whole-muscle roasts. Irradiated turkey breasts, beef rounds, and pork loins were inoculated with an eight-serovar Salmonella cocktail via vacuum tumble marination in a salt-phosphate marinade. The resulting initial Salmonella population in the geometric center (core) was 7.0, 6.3, and 6.3 log CFU/g for turkey, beef, and pork, respectively. Seven different cooking schedules representing industry practices were evaluated in a pilot-scale, moist-air convection oven. Core temperatures recorded during cooking were used to calculate lethality real-time via the log-linear model. The path-dependent model reduced the bias (mean residual) and root mean square error by 4.24 and 4.60 log CFU/g respectively, in turkey; however, the new model did not reduce the prediction error in beef or pork. Overall, results demonstrated that slow-cooked roasts, processed to a computed lethality at or near that required by the regulatory performance standards, as calculated with a state-dependent model, may be underprocessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.--We sought to determine whether percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) of suspicious axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer offers improved diagnostic accuracy compared with fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Methods.--Records of 400 patients were reviewed to identify patients undergoing ultrasound-guided biopsy followed by surgical axillary evaluation (sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection). Patients underwent diagnosis and treatment at a single high-volume county hospital. Data collected included demographics, treatment, biopsy, and surgical pathology. Percutaneous biopsy results were compared with results of sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection. Results.--Forty-seven patients met final study criteria. Twenty-two patients underwent FNA, and 25 underwent CNB. Sensitivity of FNA was 75% vs. 82% for CNB. Specificity for both was 100%. Additionally, a cost comparison of CNB versus FNA revealed CNB to be $404; FNA cost was $237. Conclusions.--The current data do not support the routine use of CNB over FNA for preoperative axillary staging in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillas. Additionally, the substantial increase in cost without a marked improvement in sensitivity may favor the performance of FNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research being done on breast cancer. It references a study being done by P. Gimbergues and colleagues published in the 2008 issue of "Annals of Surgical Oncology." It determines the clinicopathological factors that may influence the accuracy of sentinel lymph nodes biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

The article discusses research being done on the use of diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) to predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. It references a study by A. Cerussi and colleagues, published in the 2007 issue of "Proceedings of National Academy of Science USA." The study analyzed if DOS measurement can predict postsurgical pathological response. It discovered the sensitivity of DOS to tumor cellular metabolism. A comment on the study is also offered.

An abstract of the article "In Vivo Margin Assessment During Partial Mastectomy Breast Surgery Using Raman Spectroscopy," by A. S. Haka is presented.

The article discusses research being done on surgical procedures and predictors for successful breast-conserving surgery. It references a study by S. Loibl, G. von Minckwitz, G. Raab et al, published in the 2006 issue of the "Annals of Surgical Oncology." It was concluded that breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is feasible in most patients with operable breast cancer.