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Silicosis is a leading cause of occupational disease-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the molecular basis underlying its development remains unclear. An accumulating body of evidence supports gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis as a key component in the development of various pulmonary diseases. However, there is little experimental evidence connecting silicosis and GSDMD-driven pyroptosis. In this work, we investigated the role of GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in silicosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of healthy and silicosis human and murine lung tissues indicated that GSDMD-induced pyroptosis in macrophages was relevant to silicosis progression. Through microscopy we then observed morphological alterations of pyroptosis in macrophages treated with silica. Measurement of interleukin-1β release, lactic dehydrogenase activity, and real-time propidium iodide staining further revealed that silica induced pyroptosis of macrophages. Additionally, we verified that both canonical (caspase-1-mediated) and non-canonical (caspase-4/5/11-mediated) signaling pathways mediated silica-induced pyroptosis activation, in vivo and in vitro. Notably, Gsdmd knockout mice exhibited dramatically alleviated silicosis phenotypes, which highlighted the pivotal role of pyroptosis in this disease. Taken together, our results demonstrated that macrophages underwent GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis in silicosis and inhibition of this process could serve as a viable clinical strategy for mitigating silicosis.

Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic fungus that can cause severe and potentially fatal Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunodeficient patients. In this study, we investigated the genetic polymorphisms of P. jirovecii at eight different loci, including six nuclear genes (ITS, 26S rRNA, sod, dhps, dhfr and β-Tub) and two mitochondrial genes (mtLSU-rRNA and cyb) in three PCP cases, including two patients with HIV infection and one without HIV infection in Shanxi Province, P.R. China. The gene targets were amplified by PCR followed by sequencing of plasmid clones. The HIV-negative patient showed a coinfection with two genotypes of P. jirovecii at six of the eight loci sequenced. Of the two HIV-positive patients, one showed a coinfection with two genotypes of P. jirovecii at the same two of the six loci as in the HIV-negative patient, while the other showed a single infection at all eight loci sequenced. None of the three drug target genes (dhfr, dhps and cyb) showed mutations known to be potentially associated with drug resistance. This is the first report of genetic polymorphisms of P. jirovecii in PCP patients in Shanxi Province, China. Our findings expand our understanding of the genetic diversity of P. jirovecii in China.

This work aims at a new semi-analytical method called the variational iteration transform method for investigating fractional-order Emden–Fowler equations. The Shehu transformation and the iterative method are applied to achieve the solution of the given problems. The proposed method has the edge over other techniques as it does not required extra calculations. Some numerical problems are used to test the validity of the suggested method. The solution obtained has demonstrated that the proposed technique has a higher level of accuracy. The proposed method is capable of tackling various nonlinear fractional-order problems due to its simple implementation.

Purpose: To explore the moderation of mindfulness on the relationship between anxiety and somatization symptoms in middle-aged and elderly female patients with hypertension, and provide foundation for the development of more effective mindfulness intervention strategies. Methods: A total of 109 middle-aged and elderly female patients with hypertension were participated in this cross-sectional study from April to July 2022, who were valid responses to the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the General Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (GHAD), and the Somatization symptom self-rating scale (SSS). The moderating effect of mindfulness was determined using multi-distance linear regression. Results: The average quantification of all participants: mindfulness was 123.86 ± 10.49, anxiety was 7.41 ± 3.62, and somatization symptoms was 41.2 ± 9.44. In contrast to the improved level of mindfulness, anxiety (P=0.000) and somatization symptoms (P=0.001) were significantly reduced. Anxiety was positively correlated with somatization symptoms (r=-0.606, P=0.000), while mindfulness level was negatively correlated with both anxiety (r=-0.468, P=0.000) and somatization symptoms (r=-0.439, P=0.000). Moreover, mindfulness had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between anxiety and somatization symptoms (N=109) (B=-0.166, t=2.125, P=0.036). The regulation of mindfulness on anxiety and somatic symptoms was more significant in participants with low mindfulness levels (N=56) (B=0.144, t=2.805, P=0.008), but not in participants with high mindfulness levels (N=53) (B=0.037, t=-0.864, P=0.393). Conclusion: The moderating effect analysis based on regression analysis showed that mindfulness level had a significant moderating effect on anxiety and somatization symptoms, especially in low mindfulness level.

Slope failures and slope slides of expansive soils are usually characterized by shallow sliding along the surface crack. Soilbag is an effective method to prevent and control slope failures and slope slides of expansive soil. Currently, soilbag protection for expansive soil slopes has been commonly designed using empirical methods, which led to many failures of soilbag-protected slopes, or high-cost. In this paper, a new design method of the soilbag-protected slopes in expansive soils is proposed based on the balance between the soilbag friction and the active lateral earth pressure induced by the swelling pressure of expansive soils. Specifically, the friction between the soilbags is assumed to be in direct proportion to the soilbag heap-up height. The active lateral earth pressure acted on a layer of soilbag is calculated along with the total height of the slope. Moreover, the width of soilbag layers is calculated from the balance of the sum of soilbag friction and the total active lateral earth pressure along with the soilbag height and expressed by the height of slopes. For the convenience of soilbag construction, the heap-up unit of soilbags is proposed for different slope heights of expansive soils.

Mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) is a subtype of leukemia in which lymphoid and myeloid markers are co-expressed. Knowledge regarding the genetic features of MPAL is lacking due to its rarity and heterogeneity. Here, we applied an integrated genomic and transcriptomic approach to explore the molecular characteristics of 176 adult patients with MPAL, including 86 patients with T-lymphoid/myeloid MPAL (T/My MPAL-NOS), 42 with Ph+ MPAL, 36 with B-lymphoid/myeloid MPAL (B/My MPAL-NOS), 4 with t(v;11q23), and 8 with MPAL, NOS, rare types. Genetically, T/My MPAL-NOS was similar to B/T MPAL-NOS but differed from Ph+ MPAL and B/My MPAL-NOS. T/My MPAL-NOS exhibited higher CEBPA, DNMT3A, and NOTCH1 mutations. Ph+ MPAL demonstrated higher RUNX1 mutations. B/T MPAL-NOS showed higher NOTCH1 mutations. By integrating next-generation sequencing and RNA sequencing data of 89 MPAL patients, we defined eight molecular subgroups (G1-G8) with distinct mutational and gene expression characteristics. G1 was associated with CEBPA mutations, G2 and G3 with NOTCH1 mutations, G4 with BCL11B rearrangement and FLT3 mutations, G5 and G8 with BCR::ABL1 fusion, G6 with KMT2A rearrangement/KMT2A rearrangement-like features, and G7 with ZNF384 rearrangement/ZNF384 rearrangement-like characteristics. Subsequently, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from five patients. Groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 exhibited overexpression of hematopoietic stem cell disease-like and common myeloid progenitor disease-like signatures, G5 and G6 had high expression of granulocyte-monocyte progenitor disease-like and monocyte disease-like signatures, and G7 and G8 had common lymphoid progenitor disease-like signatures. Collectively, our findings indicate that integrative genomic and transcriptomic profiling may facilitate more precise diagnosis and develop better treatment options for MPAL.

The equivalent Markov motion model (EMMM) is used to improve the probability model for solid particle erosion and droplet deposition. When calculating the solid particle erosion, the probability density distribution of particle velocity developed by EMMM is used to improve the solution of the impact parameters of solid particles. When calculating the droplet deposition rate of annular flow, the conversion coefficient proposed by EMMM is used to correct the variance of the particle displacement. The proportion of the particles deposited is calculated by solving the probability of a single particle reaching the pipe wall or liquid film. The improved model involving the EMMM is well verified by comparison with experimental data. Compared with the previous probability model, the present model can provide more accurate predictions. In addition, the self-compatibility of the EMMM is discussed in detail.

Objective. To investigate the clinical effect of the application of ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function in guiding ventilator evacuation. Methods. 100 patients with ventilator evacuation who were admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to June 2020 were selected as the study objects, and divided into the observation group and the control group, according to whether they succeeded in weaning. Among them, 50 patients succeeding in weaning were from the observation group; while 50 patients failing in weaning were from the control group. The Diaphragm Movement Degree (DMD) and Diaphragmatic Thickness at the End of Expiration (DTee), Diaphragmatic Thickness at the End of Inspiration (DTei) and Diaphragm Thickening Fraction (DTF), the right diaphragm displacement, diaphragm contraction velocity at 0 min, 5 min and 30 min of two groups as well as the ROC curve were all analyzed to predict weaning results of the ultrasound diaphragm index. Results. (1) There were no significant differences in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, ventilator ventilation time and oxygenation index before weaning between the two groups (T=0.14,0.03, 0.04, 0.59, P=0.89, 0.97, 0.56). (2) Left DMD (18.59±2.96) mm. Right DMD (19.86±2.94) mm. Left DTei (2.69±0.16) mm. Right DTei (2.81 ±0.31) mm. Left DTee (1.93±0.11) mm. Right DTee (1.92±0.16) mm. Left DTF (0.40±0.11) mm and Right DTF (0.47±0.09) mm in the observation group were significantly higher than Left DMD (13.05±3.16) mm. Right DMD (13.13±3.63) mm. Left DTei (2.16±0.34) mm. Right DTei (2.18±0.39) mm. Left DTee (1.92±0.16) mm. Right DTee (1.68±0.24) mm. Left DTF (0.25±0.06) mm and right DTF (0.27±0.07) mm in the control group, T = 9.05, 10.19, 9.97, 8.94, 6.93, 5.88, 8.46, 12.40, P=0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, with statistical significance. (3) The ROC curve showed that left and right DMD, left and right DTei, left and right DTee as well as left and right DTF can be used to predict the success of weaning. Conclusion. In the guidance of ventilator evacuation, the application of ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm function can effectively evaluate the timing of weaning, and played a positive role in improving the success rate of weaning.

Purpose Corticosteroid (CS) therapy for infectious and rheumatological diseases showed to decrease serum magnesium (Mg++) level and induce muscle atrophy in patients. The present study investigated the effects of Mg++ supplementation on preventing CS-induced muscle atrophy in an animal model, which provided experimental data for potential clinical translation. Methods Twelve 24-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CS methylprednisolone (MPS) to induce muscle atrophy, with half of the rats also given daily 50 mg/kg Mg++ oral supplementation. Additional six rats without LPS + CS treatments were used as normal controls. After treatment for 6 weeks, serum was collected for Mg++ quantification, animal dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed for tissue composition, and the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) was collected for muscle functional test and histology including muscle fiber size, intramuscular fat infiltration and fiber typing. In vitro myotube atrophy model was used to study the in vitro effect associated with in vivo muscle atrophy. Results LPS + CS treatments induced hypomagnesemia while the serum Mg++ level was in normal range after Mg++ supplementation. DXA showed 53.0% lower fat percent and 29.7% higher lean mass in LPS + CS + Mg group when compared to LPS + CS group. Muscle functional test showed 22.2% higher specific twitch force and 40.3% higher specific tetanic force in LPS + CS + Mg group when compared to LPS + CS group. Histological analysis showed 4.1% higher proportion of muscle fibers area to total area and 63.6% lower intramuscular fat infiltration in EDL sections in LPS + CS + Mg group when compared to LPS + CS group. LPS + CS + Mg group had 33.0% higher area proportion and 29.4% higher cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIb muscle fiber. Myoblast culture results showed that Mg++ supplementation group had larger myotube diameter. The mRNA expressions of the muscle atrophy marker genes MuRF1 and MAFbx were lower in Mg++ supplementation group both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion The current study demonstrated that Mg++ supplementation successfully alleviated CS-associated muscle atrophy in rats at both functional and morphology levels, indicating a translational potential for patients undergoing CS therapy. This study provided the evidence for the first time that Mg++ supplementation could prevent muscle atrophy—an adverse effect of CS therapy, currently also adopted for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A numerical procedure is proposed to analyse solid particle erosion using the discrete element method based on the soft ball theory. The present procedure works through two mechanisms. First, the interaction among particles is studied using the discrete element method to consider the influence of high-concentration particle flow on the particle movement. Second, the interaction between a particle and the wall is studied using the discrete element method to describe the random impact-rebound process of particles colliding with the wall. The present procedure was well verified through comparison with experimental data from two direct impact tests. The probability density distribution of particle velocity and the collision region measured in the first test were used to validate the predicted particle movement. The mass loss measured in the second test was used to validate the predicted solid particle erosion. Furthermore, the influences of particle-particle and particle-wall interactions on material damage are discussed.

Introduction The loss of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is associated with the etiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study investigated the effects of circular RNA ZNF532 (circZNF532) on apoptosis and pyroptosis of RPE cells. Materials and methods Blood samples were collected from DR patients and healthy volunteers. Human RPE cell line ARPE-19 was induced by high glucose (HG) and assayed for cell viability, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. The binding of miR-20b-5p with circZNF532 and STAT3 was confirmed by luciferase activity assay. A mouse DR model of DR was established. Results CircZNF532 and STAT3 were upregulated but miR-20b-5p was downregulated in the serum samples of DR patients and HG-induced ARPE-19 cells. Elevated miR-20b-5p or CircZNF532 knockdown enhanced proliferation but reduced apoptosis and pyroptosis of ARPE-19 cells. CircZNF532 sponged miR-20b-5p and inhibited its expression. STAT3 was verified as a target of miR-20b-5p. MiR-20b-5p modulated ARPE-19 cell viability, apoptosis, and pyroptosis by targeting STAT3. Mice with STZ-induced diabetes showed elevated expressions of circZNF532, STAT3, but decreased level of miR-20b-5p compared with the controls. Knockdown of circZNF532 inhibited apoptosis and pyroptosis in mouse retinal tissues. Conclusion CircZNF532 knockdown rescued human RPE cells from HG-induced apoptosis and pyroptosis by regulating STAT3 via miR-20b-5p.

A simple method is proposed to describe solid particle erosion in a bend. The key to the new model is to solve the flow field and particle trajectory in the bend. The present model works based on two mechanisms. First, the axial velocity of the fluid entering the bend satisfies the conservation of angular momentum. Second, the solid particle follows a curved trajectory in a plane parallel to the symmetry plane of the bend due to the drag force of the fluid. When the drag force of the fluid on the particles is sufficiently strong, an explicit solution of the particle trajectory can be obtained. The solid particle erosion in the bend can be solved by substituting the impact parameters into particulate erosion theory. Each step of the new model is verified by comparing the predictions of the axial velocity profile of the fluid, the axial velocity profile of the particle, and the solid particle erosion on the outside of the bend with experimental data available in the literature. Furthermore, the applicability of the present model is also discussed in detail.

A two-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics analysis model based on Riemann solution is put forward to discuss its application for the wave-perforated caisson interaction problem. The wave particles are simulated by the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method and the perforated caisson employs the finite element method. The numerical method has been verified by comparing the process of elastic plate with liquid tank with test, and a good agreement is reached. Then, the proposed method is employed to study the distribution of dynamic stress in the perforated plate position of dissipation chamber at the still water level, as well as the distribution of dynamic stress along the perforated plate. Furthermore, the relationship between the dynamic stress and the corresponding coefficient is also discussed, such as the relative width B/L of dissipation chamber of no-roof perforated caisson and the relative height s/L of top cover of perforated caisson. This article concludes by providing reference to the design and construction of perforated caisson breakwaters.

Silicosis is a global occupational disease characterized by lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation, and fibrosis, for which there is a lack of effective drugs. Pirfenidone has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in the lung. However, whether and how pirfenidone is effective against silicosis remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of early and advanced silicosis in an experimental mouse model and explored its potential pharmacological mechanisms. We found that pirfenidone alleviated silica-induced lung dysfunction, secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and deposition of fibrotic proteins (collagen I and fibronectin) in both early and advanced silicosis models. Moreover, we observed that both 100 and 200 mg/kg pirfenidone can effectively treat early-stage silicosis, while 400 mg/kg was recommended for advanced silicosis. Mechanistically, antibody array and bioinformatic analysis showed that the pathways related to IL-17 secretion, including JAK-STAT pathway, Th17 differentiation, and IL-17 pathway, might be involved in the treatment of silicosis by pirfenidone. Further in vivo experiments confirmed that pirfenidone reduced the production of IL-17A induced by silica exposure via inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation. Neutralizing IL-17A by anti-IL-17A antibody improved lung function and reduced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis animals. Collectively, our study has demonstrated that pirfenidone effectively ameliorated silica-induced lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models by inhibiting the secretion of IL-17A.

Objective Somatic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) frequently emerge in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the clinical features and molecular characteristics of IDH mutational status and other coexisting mutations have not been investigated in a large extensively characterized AML series. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the mutational profile of IDH-mutated patients, such as the frequency and clinical characteristics of coexisting mutated genes. Materials and methods We investigated 485 newly diagnosed AML patients (range 18-81 years). DNA was extracted from bone marrow samples at the time of diagnosis. All samples were investigated with a panel of 49 mutational genes using next-generation sequencing (NGS). FLT3-ITD, NPM1, and CEBPA mutations were detected by Sanger PCR sequencing. Results We found 84 patients (17.3%) with IDH1 or IDH2 mutations. There were 40 IDH1R132 , 15 IDH2R140Q , 17 IDH2R172K , and 12 uncommon mutations. No patient was found to have both IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. Patients with IDH2R140Q mutations were more frequently older and presented with significantly lower average platelet counts, while IDH2R172K -mutated patients had significantly lower white blood cell (WBC) counts. On the background of IDH mutations, the presence of a normal karyotype showed a balanced distribution. The four most frequently coexisting mutated genes were NPM1, DNMT3A, TET2, and FLT3-ITD. The majority of coexisting mutated genes were involved in regulating transcription and DNA methylation. IDH mutation status had no effect on the CR rate, regardless of other molecular abnormalities. Conclusion Isocitrate dehydrogenases mutations are associated with a complex coexisting mutation cluster in AML. Future investigation is needed to reveal the association between IDH mutations and other genetic abnormalities, which may have an impact on the progression and prognosis of disease.

To define the fusion genes in T/myeloid mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (T/M MPAL), we performed transcriptome sequencing of diagnostic bone marrow samples from 20 adult patients. Our analysis identified a second instance of a recurrent MED14-HOXA9 chimeric gene resulting from the in-frame fusion of exon 23 of MED14 and exon 1 of HOXA9, the first in an adult patient. The MED14-HOXA9 fusion gene was detected in both the diagnostic and relapsed blasts with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. The patient received combined conventional chemotherapy but suffered relapse at 11 months and died of disease progression one year after the initial diagnosis. Our data suggest that MED14-HOXA9 is a cryptic recurrent aberration in T/M MPAL, which might indicate an aggressive clinical course and inferior outcome after conventional chemotherapy. Further studies will be carried out to reveal the effects of the MED14-HOXA9 fusion on the differentiation and proliferation of leukemia stem cells, as well as suitable treatment strategies for this emerging entity.

Ivosidenib is an isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant inhibitor that the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved for the treatment of leukemia. Studies suggested that ivosidenib may inhibit the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we explored RNAs and their potential regulatory mechanisms by which ivosidenib treats NSCLC cells. We used MTT assays, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry to measure the anti-tumor effects of ivosidenib in NSCLC cells. We performed whole transcriptome sequencing to determine differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNA). We used GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses to identify the functions and potential mechanisms. According to miRNA target interactions, we constructed a competing endogenous network. Ivosidenib inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. We identified 212 DE-mRNAs, four DE-miRNAs, and 206 DE-lncRNAs in ivosidenib-treated NSCLC cells compared to untreated NSCLC cells. DE-mRNAs were significantly enriched in the cancer-associated pathways, including the TGF-β signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, the Rap1 signaling pathway, and cell adhesion molecules. Based on the competing endogenous RNA hypothesis, we constructed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks to elucidate the regulatory relationships between mRNA and ncRNA. We found that qRT-PCR results showed corresponding expression trends of differential genes with sequencing data. Our results provide insights into the molecular basis of ivosidenib suppression of NSCLC.

In this study, perforated cannulated magnesium (Mg) hip stents were fabricated via modified Mg injection molding and conventional machining, respectively. Additionally, the stent canal was filled with paraffin to simulate injection of biomaterials. The microstructure, mechanical performance, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility were comparably studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed higher affinity of interstitial element such as oxygen and carbon as consequences of routine molding process. After immersion in SBF, machining stents showed reduced degradation rate and increased deposition of calcium phosphate compared to molding stents. Corrosion resistance was improved via paraffin-filling. Consistently, the hemolysis and in vitro osteoblast cell culture models showed favourable biocompatibility in machining stents compared to molding ones, which was improved by paraffin-filling treatment as well. These results implied that the feasibility of the prepared machining stents as the potential in vivo orthopaedic application where slower degradation is required, which could be enhanced by designing canal-filling injection of biomaterials as well.

Objectives: The 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS) is an extremely rare, generally aggressive haematologic malignancies. This study provided the clinical outcomes and therapeutic strategies for...

Silicosis caused by inhalation of silica particles leads to more than ten thousand new occupational exposure-related deaths yearly. Exacerbating this issue, there are currently few drugs reported to effectively treat silicosis. Tetrandrine is the only drug approved for silicosis treatment in China, and despite more than decades of use, its efficacy and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Here, in this study, we established silicosis mouse models to investigate the effectiveness of tetrandrine of early and late therapeutic administration. To this end, we used multiple cardiopulmonary function test, as well as markers for inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, using single cell RNA sequencing and transcriptomics of lung tissue and quantitative microarray analysis of serum from silicosis and control mice, our results provide a novel description of the target pathways for tetrandrine. Specifically, we found that tetrandrine attenuated silicosis by inhibiting both the canonical and non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in lung macrophages. Taken together, our work showed that tetrandrine yielded promising results against silicosis-associated inflammation and fibrosis and further lied the groundwork for understanding its molecular targets. Our results also facilitated the wider adoption and development of tetrandirne, potentially accelerating a globally accepted therapeutic strategy for silicosis.

Introduction: RUNX1 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are associated with distinct clinicopathologic features. However, the clinical and laboratory chara...

To detect ASXL1 gene variants among patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and explore their correlation with variants of other genes and clinical features of patients.For 149 patients with MDS, genomic DNA was amplified by PCR and subject to direct sequencing to identify variants of ASXL1, U2AF1, SF3B1, DNMT3A, TET2, IDH1/2, NPM1, FLT3-ITD and C-KIT genes.ASXL1 variants were found among 37 patients (24.8%). Other commonly mutated genes included U2AF1 (22.8%), TET2 (11.4%), DNMT3A (9.4%), NPM1 (8.1%) and SF3B1 (6.0%). The frequency of concurrent U2AF1 and TET2 variants among patients with ASXL1 variants was slightly higher than that of wild-type patients. No significant difference was found in median age, MDS subtype, karyotype, peripheral leukocytes, hemoglobin, platelet levels, and bone marrow blast counts between the ASXL1-variant and the wild-type groups (P0.05). Twenty-nine patients harboring ASXL1 variants were followed up, 37.9% progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The rate of transformation in ASXL1-variant group was significantly higher than the wild-type group (37.9% vs. 14.1%, P0.01).ASXL1 showed a high frequency of variant among MDS patients, which was frequently accompanied with U2AF1 and TET2 variants. Compared with the wild type group, patients with ASXL1 variants were more likely to progress to AML.