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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]

A holographic tensor metasurface (HTM) is proposed from the energy perspective to achieve flexible regulations of polarization and energy distributions for simultaneous transmissions of power and information. A dual‐polarization receiving metasurface with high isolation is also proposed to enable simultaneous receptions of power and information. Based on the two metasurfaces, a novel system for simultaneous wireless information and power transmissions (SWIPT) is established, which can transmit microwave powers and information signals by flexibly regulating the electromagnetic waves in different polarizations. The proposed HTM can generate non‐diffraction Bessel beams of two polarizations to keep high‐power transfer efficiency in an environment with obstacles. A rectifier circuit is designed with a wide dynamic range to integrate with the receiving metasurface to capture the strong powers and weak signals simultaneously. The effect of different modulations on the rectification efficiency of microwave‐to‐DC and the performance of the SWIPT system are analyzed. The SWIPT system is verified by experiments to realize simultaneous transmissions of information and powers by only using the metasurfaces, which is beneficial to integrate the wireless sensor networks, communication modules, and artificial intelligence algorithms to build up smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantitatively detect intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and serum HBsAg; and to analyze the relationship between the two parameters and with serum HBV DNA level., Methods: Intrahepatic cccDNA (copies/cell) was quantitated by plasmid-safe ATP-dependent Danes (PSAD) digestion in combination with rolling circle amplification and gap-spanning selective real-time PCR assay using formalin fixed paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples. HBsAg was measured by chemiluminescence's reagent manufactured by Abbott Company using sera sampled at time-point of liver biopsy., Results: Intrahepatic cccDNA level was positively correlated with serum HBsAg level (r = 0.459, P < 0.001), but not correlated with serum HBV DNA level. Serum HBsAg level was positively correlated with serum HBV DNA level (r = 0.328, P = 0.015), and reversely correlated with HBV replicative efficiency defined as the ratio of serum HBV DNA to cccDNA (r = -0.373, P = 0.005)., Conclusion: In patients with chronic hepatitis B, intrahepatic cccDNA level is correlated with serum HBsAg level. The two parameters combined with serum HBV DNA may comprehensively reflect HBV replication activity and help evaluation of antiviral therapeutic efficacy.