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Background The implementation by diagnostic laboratories in England of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen faecal specimens for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has resulted in a significant increase in notifications mainly due to non-O157 strains. The purpose of this study was to develop an approach to public health risk assessment that prioritizes follow-up to cases caused by haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) associated E. coli (HUSEC) strains and minimizes unnecessary actions. Methods Epidemiological and microbiological data were prospectively collected from 1 November 2013 to 31 March 2017 and used to compare three risk assessment approaches. Results A history of HUS/bloody diarrhoea/age under 6 years and faecal specimens positive for stx -predicted HUSEC with a diagnostic accuracy of 84% (95% CI; 81–88%). STEC isolated by Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) and stx2 and eae positive predicted HUSEC with a diagnostic accuracy of 99% (95% CI; 98–100%). Risk assessment combining these two tests predicts the most efficient use of resources, predicting that 18% (97/552) of cases would be eligible for follow-up at some stage, 16% (86/552) following local stx PCR results, 1% (7/552) following GBRU results of stx2 and eae status and 0.7% (4/552) following whole-genome sequencing. Follow-up could be stopped in 78% (76/97) of these cases, 97% (74/76) following second stage risk assessment. Conclusions This three-stage risk assessment approach prioritizes follow-up to HUSEC and minimizes unnecessary public health actions. We developed it into the algorithm for public health actions included in the updated PHE Guidance for management of STEC published in August 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a new approach, which can be used for the synthesis of the [Fe.sub.x][Co.sub.100?x] nanoparticles by employing a modified aqueous reduction of iron and cobalt sulfate. The crystallite size of the nanoparticles is shown to considerably increase with annealing.

Several radio frequency exposure techniques are employed to explain the synthesis, as well as the nonclassical crystallization taking place in the amorphous iron nanoparticles. The crystallite size is shown to be considerably increased with the use of ethanol in the system.

The transmission electron microscopy technique is employed to explain the synthesis, as well as the properties of the various dual mode nanoparticles. The dual mode cadmium sulfide coated iron core-shell nanoparticles are shown to be extremely beneficial for various biomedical applications.

Several studies are conducted to explain the localized surface plasmon resonance enhanced magneto-optical activities of the core-shell Fe-Ag nanoparticles. The exploitation of these properties is shown to be extremely beneficial in enhancing the sensitivity of these nanoparticles.