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Recent advances in whole genome sequencing have revealed an immense microbial potential for the production of therapeutic small molecules, even from well‐known producers. To access this potential, we subjected prominent antimicrobial producers to alternative antiproliferative assays using persistent cancer cell lines. Described herein is our discovery of hirocidins, novel secondary metabolites from Streptomyces hiroshimensis with antiproliferative activities against colon and persistent breast cancer cells. Hirocidin A is an unusual nine‐membered carbocyclic maleimide and hirocidins B and C are relatives with an unprecedented, bridged azamacrocyclic backbone. Mode of action studies show that hirocidins trigger mitochondrion‐dependent apoptosis by inducing expression of the key apoptotic effector caspase‐9. The discovery of new cytotoxins contributes to scaffold diversification in anticancer drug discovery and the reported modes of action and concise total synthetic route for variant A set the stage for unraveling specific targets and biochemical interactions of the hirocidins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stereotype of Asians as a model minority suggests that they either do not experience discrimination or overcome it through higher education, hard work, and respect for authority. We test that stereotype for Asian Americans in the federal service using both Census data and surveys of federal employees. We examine (1) whether Asians attain the same pay levels and managerial authority as whites; (2) whether differences in education, experience, citizenship, and English ability explain differences in pay and authority; (3) whether those differences vary across Asian sub-groups; and (4) whether Asians are as satisfied with their jobs and the treatment they receive. We find moderate Asian-white pay differences, which varied substantially across national origin groups. Asian-white differences in access to managerial authority, however, are substantial across all national origin groups. Asians' higher educational attainment and weaker English abilities contributed to differences in pay and authority, but unexplained disparities remained, potentially due to discrimination and/or unmeasured factors. Surprisingly, Asians expressed a stronger belief that the federal service allocates rewards fairly and were more satisfied than whites with their own developmental and advancement opportunities despite those pay and leadership disparities. They were, however, somewhat less satisfied with pay, co-workers, and supervisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare maternity leave satisfaction between physicians and nonphysicians. Currently, paid maternal leave is not guaranteed in the United States, resulting in palpable dissatisfaction among parents. Previous studies have shown associations between length of paid leave and career satisfaction and maternal happiness. Materials and Methods: A Qualtrics® electronic survey was distributed to female professionals through email and social media from April 2019 to March 2020. Inclusion criterion was ≥1 child by birth or adoption, or active pregnancy. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using two-sample t-test and chi-square, respectively. Results: Of 808 respondents, 77% were physicians. Mean age at birth/adoption of first child was higher in physicians versus nonphysicians (32.1 years vs. 29.7 years; p < 0.001). Physicians took shorter maternity leave than nonphysicians (10.9 weeks vs. 12.0 weeks, p = 0.017) with half of that time paid by employers (5.4 weeks vs. 5.9 weeks, p = 0.2). Dissatisfaction was high among physicians (85.1%) and nonphysicians (92.4%) that correlates with maternity leave compensation dissatisfaction (49% vs. 71.3%, p < 0.001). Thirty-four percent of physicians versus 41% of nonphysicians stated that their health was negatively impacted by maternity leave length. Physicians and nonphysicians reported similar incidences of depression, and breastfeeding, delivery, and other postpartum complications. When queried, 38.8% of physicians and 57% of nonphysicians said they would desire >16 weeks of paid maternity leave (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, dissatisfaction among professional women on maternity leave duration and compensation is high in the United States. Given health implications for both mother and child, this should invite further discussion and changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial secondary metabolite discovery is often conducted in pure monocultures. In a natural setting, however, where metabolites are constantly exchanged, biosynthetic precursors are likely provided by symbionts or hosts. In the current work, we report eight novel and architecturally unusual secondary metabolites synthesized by the bacterial symbiont Phaeobacter inhibens from precursors that, in a native context, would be provided by their algal hosts. Three of these were produced at low titres and their structures were determined de novo using the emerging microcrystal electron diffraction method. Some of the new metabolites exhibited potent algaecidal activity suggesting that the bacterial symbiont can convert algal precursors, tryptophan and sinapic acid, into complex cytotoxins. Our results have important implications for the parasitic phase of algal‐bacterial symbiotic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]