Wellcome Open Research最新文献

{"title":"Facility-Based Assessment of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care in Vanga Health Zone, Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.","authors":"Mudji Junior, Kieran Desmond, Bill Sabwa, Mike English","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25137.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25137.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain unacceptably high. The lack of empirical evidence on the capacity and performance of health facilities offering emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) is a central problem.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study assessed the quality of EmONC provision across 63 healthcare facilities in Vanga Health Zone, Kwilu province, DRC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified widespread infrastructural deficiencies, including no water sources in 61/63 facilities, no emergency transfer capability, and critically low bed capacity. Stock inventories showed that 38/52 categories assessed in facilities had poor availability of basic EmONC equipment, supplies and medications. The median number of nurses providing 24/7 care across all specialties in nurse-led facilities was four. Doctors were employed at 5/63 facilities (13 doctors total), none with postgraduate training. Signal function data revealed widespread failure to provide basic EmONC alongside dangerous practices including caesarean sections and blood transfusions performed without doctors, trained staff or essential equipment. Caseload data was near-identical across both collection periods in all 58 nurse-led facilities, possibly suggesting falsification linked to performance-based financing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Health facilities in Vanga Health Zone show inadequacies in all quality domains assessed and are unable to provide safe or acceptable EmONC. Women and newborns are suffering unnecessary harm due to system-level failings in resource allocation and governance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"11 ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13014088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147522237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"To gain insights into heat adaptations among women during the antenatal period in India -The Heat in Pregnancy Project (HiP-I) India- Qualitative Study Protocol.","authors":"Chris Mary Kurian, Karthika Kumar, Diana Thomas, Yogesh Jain, Sudhakar Reddy Bulla, Gabriela De Jesus Cipriano Flores, Surya Surendran, Prakriti Dayal, Sreevatsan Raghavan, Mudita Gosain, Ramachandran Thiruvengadam, Arya Thonikund Sathishkumar, Stalin Prabhakaran, Vidhya Venugopal, Nitya Wadhwa, Shinjini Bhatnagar, Devaki Nambiar, Jane E Hirst, Praveen D","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25507.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25507.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves across South Asia, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. Pregnant and lactating women face heightened health risks due to physiological changes, gendered social responsibilities, and constrained access to adaptive resources. Despite this, women's lived experiences and adaptation practices during pregnancy remain understudied and largely absent from institutional climate responses. This knowledge gap hampers the development of effective, gender-sensitive adaptation policies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study, embedded within the Heat in Pregnancy (HiP)-India project, will be conducted in three climatically vulnerable sites: Gurugram (Haryana), Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), and Puducherry. Guided by a socio-ecological framework, we will conduct in-depth interviews with pregnant and lactating women, focus group discussions with caregivers, and key informant interviews with health workers and local stakeholders, alongside non-participant observations. Interviews will take place during and shortly after the heat season to capture both real-time and reflective experiences. Using purposive sampling, we will recruit 20-25 women per site, along with caregivers and stakeholders, primarily from the HiP-India cohort who have consented to follow-up. Data will be thematically analysed using NVivo, with reporting guided by COREQ standards.</p><p><strong>Anticipated results: </strong>The study will generate contextualised insights into women's heat-adaptation practices during pregnancy and lactation across diverse agro-climatic zones, document traditional and emerging coping strategies, and identify structural, social, and institutional barriers shaping adaptation capacity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>By centering women's lived experiences, this research will inform the design of culturally appropriate, gender-responsive heat adaptation interventions suitable for low-resource settings. Findings will support both practical community-based solutions and evidence-based advocacy for more inclusive climate adaptation policies at local and national levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"11 ","pages":"93"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13125996/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) summary education attainment values in the offspring generation.","authors":"Eleanor I Walsh, Mark Mumme, Kate Northstone","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24082.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24082.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This data note describes how summary education attainment scores were generated for the index participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) for researchers to use through the standard ALSPAC dataset. Detailed education data from the original datasets provided by the Local Education Authorities and the Department for Education can be sensitive and there is a risk of re-identification, so access is restricted through a secure Trusted Research Environment (TRE). The high level of security does impose some restrictions on ease of access and there are financial and resource costs to the researchers and the hosts. There is a demand for minimal educational attainment variables to be made available, often as co-variates in broader analyses (as opposed to being the primary exposure or outcome of interest). Summary educational attainment measures are considered by the Department for Education (DfE) to be of low sensitivity and identifiability risk. A summary variable of attainment for Early Years and each Key Stage 1-5 has been made available. Final sample sizes for each of these scores is dependent on external factors including consent status, which can change regularly.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"11 ","pages":"81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12933042/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147310231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The genome sequence of a longhorn beetle, <i>Rutpela maculata</i> (Poda, 1769).","authors":"Olga Sivell, Duncan Sivell, Maxwell V L Barclay, Liam M Crowley","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20500.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.20500.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a genome assembly from an individual female <i>Rutpela maculata</i> (a longhorn beetle; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Cerambycidae). The genome sequence is 2,021.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.84 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 14,238 protein-coding genes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"8 ","pages":"579"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13107107/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147782922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC): an update on the enrolled sample of index children (the G1 cohort) in 2025.","authors":"Kate Northstone, Elizabeth Brierley, Jess Harvey, Sarah Matthews, Mark Mummé, Rich Hobbs","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25018.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25018.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is an ongoing prospective population-based study that has been running for almost 35 years. Pregnant women with expected dates of delivery falling between 1 ^st April 1991 and 31 ^st December 1992 were recruited and the health and development of the index children from these pregnancies and that of their family members have been followed ever since. At the time of enrolment, the sampling frame for those eligible to enrol was constructed retrospectively using linked recruitment and health service records. Further explicit recruitment drives took place at the ages of 7 and 18 years to enrol G1 participants (the index children) that were eligible but did not take part originally. These were supplemented by opportunistic contacts from the age of 7 resulting in additional participants being enrolled. Around the age of 30, a further concerted effort was undertaken to encourage unenrolled but eligible participants to take part in the study's '@30' clinic. This data note updates the status of recruitment of the index children in 2025, following the completion of the clinic. In total, 1014 additional G1 participants have been enrolled in the study since the age of 7 years, with 101 of these in the most recent phase of recruitment that has taken place since the age of 24. At the time of writing ALSPAC now has a baseline cohort of 15,002 G1 participants alive at 1 year of age.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"10 ","pages":"689"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13146456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147843487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defining the signature of deformable and infectious <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> gametocytes.","authors":"Deepali Ravel, Sanna Rijpma, Dario Beraldi, Wouter Graumans, Lisette Meerstein-Kessel, Kathryn Crouch, Armin Passecker, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Sara Lynn Blanken, Emmanuel Arinaitwe, Stoter Rianne, Priscilla Ngotho, Daniel Neafsey, Till Voss, Martijn Huijnen, Teun Bousema, Matthias Marti","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25935.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25935.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>One of the major challenges for malaria elimination is combating the highly efficient spread of the disease. Despite progress in understanding the development of malaria transmission stages, there remain many unanswered questions about how gametocytes transition from being immature to infectious. In <i>Plasmodium falciparum,</i> immature gametocytes are rigid and sequester outside of circulation in the extravascular space of the bone marrow, while deformable, mature stages are found in circulation and transmitted to mosquitoes. It is currently unclear whether deformable gametocytes are immediately infectious to mosquitoes, or whether they undergo activation upon release into circulation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used a combination of phenotypic assays and transcriptional analysis to define the transition from immature non-infectious to mature infectious gametocyte. Specifically, we associated gene expression with distinct phenotypic traits: gametocyte deformability assessed by microsphere filtration, and gametocyte infectivity assessed by exflagellation and mosquito feeding assays.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our data revealed major transcriptional differences between input and deformable (i.e., filtered) gametocytes, but high similarity between deformable and infectious gametocytes. In combination with exflagellation and transmission results upon mosquito feeding assays, this suggests that deformable gametocytes are immediately infectious upon release from the bone marrow. The transcriptional analysis revealed a comprehensive set of infectivity markers that can be utilized to track gametocytes during their development and serve as diagnostic tools to map the human infectious reservoir.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"11 ","pages":"156"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13126010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementing and Transitioning a Laboratory Quality Management System from ISO 15189:2012 to ISO 15189:2022: Experience from the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre.","authors":"Dumizulu Tembo, Joshua S Kaphika, Ajisa Ahmadu, Lovemore Alufandika, Vincent Kalilangwe, Christopher Kukacha, Dumisani Kaphika, Funny T Lipenga, Mirriam Machonjo, Sekani Manda, Mazuba Masina, Emmanuel C Mchoma, Alice C Mnyanga, Innocent M Moyo, Fatsani P Mutala, Patrick Mzumara, Doris Shani, George P Selemani, Brigitte Denis","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS) in line with ISO 15189:2022 is essential for clinical and research laboratories striving to achieve technical competence and consistent delivery of valid results. This article presents the approach undertaken by Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) laboratories to integrate and manage the QMS based on ISO 15189 and steps taken to successfully transition to the new version of the same standard.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The implementation process involved several key steps, including mentorship, conducting an initial gap analysis, and implementing the quality management system. A quality officer was appointed to oversee the process, supported by leadership engagement and staff training to establish core competencies. Additional activities included the development of required documentation, participation in proficiency testing and Internal Quality Control (IQC) programmes, and the verification of test methods. Quality indicators were established to monitor performance. During the transition to the updated ISO 15189 standard, a second gap analysis was conducted, emphasising risk-based thinking and alignment with patient-centred requirements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The outcomes demonstrate enhanced laboratory performance, improved documentation, and a stronger teamwork and culture of quality. This experience offers practical insights for laboratories seeking to implement ISO 15189 and underscores the importance of tailored implementation strategies that reflect the organizational context and laboratory scope.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The successful implementation of a QMS demands a comprehensive, system-wide approach and robust teamwork to achieve established goals effectively. It necessitates ongoing periodic assessments and substantial support human and financial resources. Furthermore, continuous training and mentorship by qualified QMS professionals are essential to foster a culture of continuous improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"11 ","pages":"144"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13110388/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147782880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term <i>in toto</i> cell tracking using lightsheet microscopy of the zebrafish tailbud.","authors":"Timothy Fulton, Martin O Lenz, Leila Muresan, Toby Andrews, Courtney Lancaster, Elizabeth Horton, Benjamin Steventon","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14907.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14907.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>In toto</i> light-sheet imaging allows the tracking of entire growing tissues with high spatial and temporal resolution for many hours. However, this technology requires a sample to be immobilised to ensure that the tissue of interest remains within the field of view throughout the image acquisition period. We have developed a method of mounting and image capture for long-term light-sheet imaging of a growing zebrafish tailbud from the 18 somite stage through to the end of somitogenesis. By tracking the global movement of the tailbud during image acquisition and feeding this back to the microscope stage, we are able to ensure that the growing tissue remains within the field of view throughout image acquisition. Here, we present three representative datasets of embryos in which all nuclei are labelled and tracked until the completion of somitogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"3 ","pages":"163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13096779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147782946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The genome sequence of the white-lipped snail, <i>Cepaea hortensis</i> (Müller, 1774) (Stylommatophora: Helicidae).","authors":"Chris Wade, Angus Davison","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25181.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25181.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a genome assembly from an individual <i>Cepaea hortensis</i> (white-lipped snail; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Stylommatophora; Helicidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 3 168.99 megabases. Most of the assembly (97.52%) is scaffolded into 22 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 15.08 kilobases. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 17 974 protein-coding genes. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces reference genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"10 ","pages":"681"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12873540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146143526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sexual experiences, attitudes, enjoyment and regret in the parent and offspring generations of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Childhood (ALSPAC): 2022 data sweep.","authors":"Yasmin Iles-Caven, Jean Golding, Carol Joinson, Abigail Fraser, Kate Northstone","doi":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23059.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/wellcomeopenres.23059.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this data note is to describe data collected in 2022 on sexual history, attitudes, enjoyment and regret. Data were collected from mothers (age range 47-75 years (mean 60.0), n = 4653) their partners (age range 47-83 years (mean 62.9), n= 1945) and offspring (aged ~30 years, females n= 2702, males n=1366) in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents & Children (ALSPAC). Many of the questions asked are identical, or similar, to those collected in the British NATSAL (National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles). Repeating the same questions in both ALSPAC generations allows for direct inter-generational comparisons within ALSPAC as well as across studies. Areas covered include age at sexual debut; having drunk alcohol, used drugs or contraception at sexual debut; the circumstances under which participants met their first sexual partner; sexual orientation; the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale; regret at first sexual experience, lifetime experiences of sexual regret and the degree of regret, as well as the reason(s) for that regret; number of sexual partners both in the last two years and over their lifetime; current frequency and enjoyment of sex. ALSPAC provides a rich resource of data collected on a wide variety of topics including details of the participants' environment, lifestyle, physical and mental health over the life span, including sexual experiences collected retrospectively from the parents, and from the age of 11 in the offspring. There are thus many opportunities for research on a wide variety of topics related to potentially risky and normal sexual behaviours, sexual health, functioning and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":23677,"journal":{"name":"Wellcome Open Research","volume":"9 ","pages":"674"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090757/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147723939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}