Recent high-impact research has significantly advanced our understanding of inflammasomes as therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases. Breakthrough studies have revealed new mechanisms of inflammasome regulation and innovative inhibition approaches. A key discovery identified NEK7 as an essential component for NLRP3 inflammasome activation, providing a new target for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, researchers developed CY-09, a small molecule inhibitor that directly binds to the ATP-binding site of NLRP3, offering a highly specific method for inflammasome inhibition. Further progress includes elucidating the role of metabolic reprogramming in inflammasome activation, with studies finding that itaconate can directly inhibit NLRP3 activation. This discovery bridges cellular metabolism and inflammasome regulation, suggesting new metabolic approaches to modulate inflammatory responses. Research has also highlighted the importance of the non-canonical inflammasome pathway in atherosclerosis progression, expanding therapeutic possibilities for cardiovascular diseases. In the field of targeted therapies, a nanoparticle-based delivery system for inhibiting AIM2 inflammasome in psoriasis demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical models. This approach showcases the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing the specificity and effectiveness of inflammasome-targeted therapies. These latest advancements collectively underscore the rapid progress in understanding inflammasome biology and developing innovative therapeutic strategies, paving the way for more effective and precise treatments for a wide range of inflammatory diseases.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the molecular characteristics of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant BA.2.76 in Jining City, China. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 87 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evolutionary trees were constructed using bioinformatics software to analyze sequence homology, variant sites, N-glycosylation sites, and phosphorylation sites. Results: All 87 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences were classified under the evolutionary branch of the Omicron variant BA.2.76. Their similarity to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1 ranged from 99.72 to 99.74%. In comparison to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, the 87 sequences exhibited 77–84 nucleotide differences and 27 nucleotide deletions. A total of 69 amino acid variant sites, 9 amino acid deletions, and 1 stop codon mutation were identified across 18 proteins. Among them, the spike (S) protein exhibited the highest number of variant sites, and the ORF8 protein showed a Q27 stop mutation. Multiple proteins displayed variations in glycosylation and phosphorylation sites. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, giving rise to new strains with enhanced transmission, stronger immune evasion capabilities, and reduced pathogenicity. The application of high-throughput sequencing technologies in the epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19 provides crucial insights into the evolutionary and variant characteristics of the virus at the genomic level, thereby holding significant implications for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection can cause high fever, pneumonia, and even death, posing a serious threat to human health. This study analyzes the epidemiological characteristics and genetic features of respiratory adenovirus in Jining City from February 2023 to July 2024. From February 2023 to July 2024, 3,947 throat swab specimens were collected from influenza-like illness cases at Jining First People’s Hospital and Rencheng District Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect HAdV nucleic acid. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on HAdV-positive samples. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the whole genome, Penton base gene, Hexon gene, and Fiber gene of HAdV, and protein variation sites were analyzed. The HAdV positivity rate in influenza-like cases in Jining City from February 2023 to July 2024 was 3.42% (135/3947), with higher positivity rates in younger age groups. HAdV positivity rates were higher between December 2023 and July 2024, while lower between January 2023 and November 2023. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 47 HAdV samples, revealing 38 cases of HAdV-B and 9 cases of HAdV-C, with no HAdV-E detected. HAdV-B and HAdV-C co-circulated in Jining City from February to December 2023, while HAdV-B predominated from January to July 2024. All 38 HAdV-B sequences from Jining City are HAdV-3. In the phylogenetic trees of the whole genome, Penton base gene, Hexon gene, and Fiber gene of HAdV-B, all 38 HAdV-B strains from Jining City are located in the same evolutionary branch as the Chinese HAdV-3 candidate vaccine strain Guangzhou01. Compared to Guangzhou01, the RGD motif in Penton base and antigenic epitopes in Hexon of the 38 HAdV-B strains from Jining remained unchanged. Among the 9 HAdV-C sequences from Jining, 4 were identified as HAdV-104 and 5 as HAdV-108. The RGD motif in Penton base protein and receptor-binding sites in Fiber protein remained unchanged in all 9 HAdV-C sequences. From February 2023 to July 2024, HAdV in Jining City primarily circulated among younger age groups in influenza-like illness cases, with no apparent seasonal pattern. Enhanced surveillance of HAdV and accelerated development and marketing of HAdV vaccines are necessary.

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers who often have concomitant increase in the levels of benzo[alpha]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide(±) (BPDE)-DNA adduct in liver tissues, suggesting a possible co-carcinogenesis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and benzo[alpha]pyrene in HCC; however the exact mechanisms involved are unclear.

Background: The influenza virus poses a significant threat to global public health due to its high mutation rate. Continuous surveillance, development of new vaccines, and public health measures are crucial in managing and mitigating the impact of influenza outbreaks.Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from individuals with influenza-like symptoms in Jining City during 2021-2022. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect influenza A viruses, followed by isolation using MDCK cells. Additionally, nucleic acid detection was performed to identify influenza A H1N1, seasonal H3N2, B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata strains. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted on 24 influenza virus strains, and subsequent analyses included characterization, phylogenetic construction, mutation analysis, and assessment of nucleotide diversity.Results: A total of 1,543 throat swab samples were collected. The study revealed the dominance of the B/Victoria influenza virus in Jining during 2021-2022. Whole-genome sequencing showed co-prevalence of B/Victoria influenza viruses in the branches of Victoria clade 1A.3a.1 and Victoria clade 1A.3a.2, with a higher incidence observed in winter and spring. Comparative analysis demonstrated lower similarity in the HA, MP, and PB2 gene segments of the 24 sequenced influenza virus strains compared to the Northern Hemisphere vaccine strain B/Washington/02/2019. Mutations were identified in all antigenic epitopes of the HA protein at R133G, N150K, and N197D, and the 17-sequence antigenic epitopes exhibited more than 4 amino acid variation sites, resulting in antigenic drift. Moreover, one sequence had a D197N mutation in the NA protein, while seven sequences had a K338R mutation in the PA protein.Conclusion: This study highlights the predominant presence of B/Victoria influenza strain in Jining from 2021 to 2022. The analysis also identified amino acid site variations in the antigenic epitopes, contributing to antigenic drift.

Background: Diarrhea poses a serious threat to human health, and rainfall is known to increase the incidence of diarrheal diseases. On July 7, 2024, a diarrhea outbreak occurred in a school in Sishui County, Jining City, Shandong Province, China, following heavy rainfall. This study aimed to identify the pathogens responsible for the outbreak and characterize their whole genomes.Methods: On July 8, 2024, a total of 21 stool samples from diarrhea cases, 2 water samples from private wells, and 1 drinking water sample from the school cafeteria were collected. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect Rotavirus A (RV-A), Norovirus genogroup I (NV GI), Norovirus genogroup II (NV GII), Sapovirus (SaV), Human Astrovirus (HAstV), and Human Adenovirus (HAdV). Whole-genome sequencing was performed for NV GI and SaV-positive samples to determine their genotypes, construct phylogenetic trees, and analyze amino acid variation sites in encoded proteins.Results: Among the 21 case stool samples, 7 tested positive for both NV GI and SaV, 10 were positive for NV GI only, and 1 was positive for SaV only. Of the 2 private well water samples, one was positive for NV GI and the other for SaV. Whole-genome sequences were obtained for 11 NV GI strains and 2 SaV strains. The 11 NV GI sequences from the outbreak exhibited high homology, with whole-genome similarity ranging from 99.96% to 100%, and were all identified as the NV GI.6 [P11] genotype. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 11 sequences clustered within the same evolutionary branch. Similarly, the 2 SaV sequences were highly homologous, with 99.97% similarity, and were identified as the SaV GI.6 genotype, clustering within the same phylogenetic branch.Conclusions: This diarrhea outbreak was caused by the combined presence of NV GI and SaV following heavy rainfall. These findings provide valuable reference data for the prevention and control of diarrhea outbreaks caused by heavy rainfall or multiple pathogens.