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Summary: Gene expression is regulated at multiple levels, including RNA processing and DNA methylation/demethylation. How these regulations are controlled remains unclear.Here, through analysis of a suppressor for the OsEIN2 over‐expressor, we identified an RNA recognition motif protein SUPPRESSOR OF EIN2 (SOE). SOE is localized in nuclear speckles and interacts with several components of the spliceosome. We find SOE associates with hundreds of targets and directly binds to a DNA glycosylase gene DNG701 pre‐mRNA for efficient splicing and stabilization, allowing for subsequent DNG701‐mediated DNA demethylation of the transgene promoter for proper gene expression. The V81M substitution in the suppressor mutant protein mSOE impaired its protein stability and binding activity to DNG701 pre‐mRNA, leading to transgene silencing.SOE mutation enhances grain size and yield. Haplotype analysis in c. 3000 rice accessions reveals that the haplotype 1 (Hap 1) promoter is associated with high 1000‐grain weight, and most of the japonica accessions, but not indica ones, have the Hap 1 elite allele.Our study discovers a novel mechanism for the regulation of gene expression and provides an elite allele for the promotion of yield potentials in rice. See also the Commentary on this article by Bazin & Crespi, 243: 1631–1632. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Objective: We investigated whether complete correction of cervical sagittal malalignment is necessary during 4-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with kyphosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients who underwent 4-level ACDF surgery at a university hospital between January 2010 and December 2015. Based on the degree of cervical lordosis correction, patients were categorized into the following groups: mild (0-10°), moderate (10-20°), and complete correction (>20°). The clinical outcomes, radiological parameters, and functional outcomes were analyzed. Results: We observed no significant intergroup differences in the baseline characteristics. The cervical sagittal vertical axis (CSVA) correction loss at the final follow-up was lesser in the mild- and moderate- than in the complete-correction group. The spinocranial angle (SCA) and T1 slope (T1 S) were significantly higher in the moderate- and complete-correction groups than in the mild-correction group, 3 days postoperatively. The cervical proximal junctional kyphosis (CPJK), adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), and ASD following CPJK rates were higher in the complete-correction group. We observed no significant intergroup differences in postoperative complications; however, 5 patients showed internal fixation failure in the complete-correction group; 4 of these patients required reoperation. No significant intergroup difference was observed in the Japanese Orthopedic Association and neck disability index scores at any time point. Conclusions: A mild-to-moderate correction of cervical lordosis is superior to complete correction in patients with kyphosis who undergo 4-level ACDF because this approach is associated with lesser axial stress and CSVA correction loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]