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Muhammad Fattah Fazel,1,2 Izuddin Fahmy Abu,1 Mohamad Haiqal Nizar Mohamad,3 Noor Arniwati Mat Daud,1 Ahmad Najib Hasan,1 Zainie Aboo Bakkar,1 Muhammad Alif Naim Md Khir,4 Norsham Juliana,5 Srijit Das,6 Muhamad Razin Mohd Razali,1 Nurul Hana Zainal Baharin,2 Arashidatul Akmar Ismail2 1Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Alor Gajah, Malacca, Malaysia; 4Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 5Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; 6Department of Human and Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, OmanCorrespondence: Izuddin Fahmy Abu, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250, Malaysia, Email izuddin@unikl.edu.myAbstract: In an era where synthetic supplements have raised concerns regarding their effects on human health, Ficus carica has emerged as a natural alternative rich in polyphenolic compounds with potent therapeutic properties. Various studies on F. carica focusing on the analysis and validation of its pharmacological and nutritional properties are emerging. This paper summarizes present data and information on the phytochemical, nutritional values, therapeutic potential, as well as the toxicity profile of F. carica. An extensive search was conducted from various databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 126 studies and articles related to F. carica that were published between 1999 and 2023 were included in this review. Remarkably, F. carica exhibits a diverse array of advantageous effects, including, but not limited to, antioxidant, anti-neurodegenerative, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antiepileptic, anticonvulsant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-angiogenic, antidiabetic, anti-cancer, and antimutagenic properties. Among the highlights include that antioxidants from F. carica were demonstrated to inhibit cholinesterase, potentially protecting neurons in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. The antimicrobial activities of F. carica were attributed to its high flavonoids and terpenoids content, while its virucidal action through the inhibition of DNA and RNA replication was postulated due to its triterpenes content. Inflammatory and arthritic conditions may also benefit from its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties through the modulation of various signalling proteins. Studies have also shown that F. carica extracts were generally safe and exhibit low toxicity profile, although more research in this aspect is required, specifically its effects on the skin. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of F. carica as a valuable natural therapeutic agent and dietary supplement. However, continued exploration on F. carica’s safety and efficacy is still required prior to embarking on clinical trials, as its role in personalized nutrition and medication will open a new paradigm to improve health outcomes.Keywords: antioxidant, dietary supplement, fig, natural compound, phytochemical

Introduction: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a rare neurological complication of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. Various vaccines have been linked to ATM, such as non-replicating viral vectors, ribonucleic acid, and inactivated vaccines. An ATM case is presented here involving the BNT162b2 vaccine leading to asymmetrical incomplete paraplegia and neurogenic bladder., Case Presentation: A 66-year-old male developed urinary retention one day after his second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine, followed by rapidly progressing lower limb weakness. Clinical examination showed asymmetrical paraparesis, reduced sensation below the T8 level, including perianal sensation, and loss of ankle and anal reflexes. Laboratory tests were largely unremarkable, while the spine MRI revealed thickened conus medullaris with a mild increase in T2/STIR signal intensity and subtle enhancement post gadolinium. Following treatment with methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, and immunoglobulin, and a rehabilitation program, the patient achieved good motor and sensory recovery, but the bladder dysfunction persisted. Single-channel cystometry indicated neurogenic detrusor underactivity and reduced bladder sensation, as evidenced by low-pressure and compliant bladder. The urethral sphincter appeared intact or overactive. The post-void residual urine was significant, necessitating prolonged intermittent catheterisation., Discussion: Bladder dysfunction due to the COVID-19 vaccine-associated ATM is not as commonly reported as motor or sensory deficits. To our knowledge, this is the first case to highlight a neurogenic bladder that necessitates prolonged intermittent catheterisation as a consequence of COVID-19 vaccine-associated ATM. This report highlights the rare complication of the neurogenic bladder resulting from the BNT162b2 vaccine. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.)

Alkali sludge (AS) is waste abundantly generated from solar photovoltaic (PV) solar cell industries. Since this potential basic material is still underutilized, a combination with NiO catalyst might greatly influence coke resentence, especially in high-temperature thermochemical reactions (Arora and Prasad, RSC Adv. 6:108,668-108688, 2016). This paper investigated alkaline sludge containing 3CaO-2SiO 2 doped with well-known NiO to enhance the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. The wet-impregnation method was used to prepare the xNiO/AS (x = 5-15%) catalysts. Subsequently, all catalysts were tested by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption (BET), temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H 2 -TPR), temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (TPD-CO 2 ), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM-EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The spent catalysts were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO). The catalytic performance of xNiO/AS catalysts was investigated in a fixed bed reactor connected with gas chromatography thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD) at a CH 4 :CO 2 flow rate of 30 mL -1 during a 10-h reaction by following (Shamsuddin et al., Int. J. Energy Res. 45:15,463-15,480, 2021d). For optimization parameters, the effects of NiO concentration (5, 10, and 15%), reaction temperature (700, 750, 800, 850, and 900 °C), catalyst loading (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 g), and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) range from 3000, 6000, 9000, 12,000, and 15,000 h -1 were evaluated. The results showed that physical characteristics such as BET surface area and porosity do not significantly impact NiO percentages of dispersion, whereas chemical characteristics like reducibility are crucial for the catalysts' efficient catalytic activity. Due to the active sites on the catalyst surface being more accessible, increased NiO dispersion resulted in higher reactant conversion. The catalytic performance on various parameters that showed 15%NiO/AS exhibited high reactant conversion up to 98% and 40-60% product selectivity in 700 °C, 0.2 g catalyst loading, and 12,000 h -1 GHSV. According to spent catalyst analyses, the catalyst was stable even after the DRM reaction. Meanwhile, increased reducibility resulted in more and better active site formation on the catalyst. Synergetic effect of efficient NiO as active metal and medium basic sites from AS enhanced DRM catalytic activity and stability with low coke formation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study evaluated the effects of palm shortenings (PS) with varying melting ranges (MR) on the physicochemical, emulsion stability, rheological, thermal, textural, and microtextural properties of chicken meat emulsions. Six emulsions were developed: control (chicken skin), sample A (PS at MR of 33-36 °C), sample B (PS at MR of 38-42 °C), sample C (PS at MR of 44-46 °C), sample D (PS at MR of 45-49 °C), and sample E (PS at MR of 55-60 °C). There were no significant differences in cooking loss, pH, and water-holding capacity between the meat emulsions, with sample E providing a more stable emulsion with the lowest fat content and highest moisture content. The colour profiles and protein thermal stabilities of the fat-replaced meat emulsions were not significantly different from the control. The hardness, shear force, storage, and loss moduli increased when palm shortenings with higher melting range were used, with sample E having the highest values. Sample E also exhibited a smaller pore size and more compact structure, and thus was well-emulsified compared to the other samples. Overall, palm shortenings-particularly those with a melting range of 55-60 °C-have the potential to replace chicken skin in meat emulsions.

Concerns over global greenhouse gas emissions such as CO x and NO x as well as the depletion of petroleum fossil resources have motivated humankind to seek an alternative energy source known as green diesel. In this study, green diesel was produced via a deoxygenation (DO) reaction of ceiba oil under a H 2 -free atmosphere over Ni modified red mud-based catalysts, which have been synthesized via a precipitation - deep-deposition assisted autoclave method. The obtained catalyst was further characterized by XRF, XRD, BET, FTIR, TPD-NH 3 , FESEM, and TGA. Based on the catalytic activity test, all Ni/RMO x catalysts facilitated greater DO activity by yielding 83-86% hydrocarbon yield and 70-85% saturated diesel n -(C 15 + C 17 ) selectivity. Ni/RMO 3 was the best catalyst for deoxygenizing the ceiba oil owing to the existence of a high acidic strength (12717.3 μmol g -1 ) and synergistic interaction between Fe-O and Ni-O species, thereby producing the highest hydrocarbon yield (86%) and n -(C 15 + C 17 ) selectivity (85%). According to the reusability study, the Ni/RMO 3 could be reused for up to six consecutive runs with hydrocarbon yields ranging from 53% to 83% and n -(C 15 + C 17 ) selectivity ranging from 62% to 83%., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative and an extended 90-days postoperative use of ONS among patients undergoing elective surgery for breast and colorectal cancers. Ninety-one patients were randomised into (i) Group SS received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively and postoperatively up to discharge, (ii) Group SS-E received ONS up to 14 days preoperatively, postoperatively up to discharge and for an extended 90-days after discharge and (iii) Group DS received ONS postoperatively up to discharge. Preoperatively, SS had significantly higher body weight (66.1 ± 15.3 kg vs. 62.5 ± 12.0 kg, p = 0.010) and BMI (26.8 ± 6.8 kg/m2 vs. 26.1 ± 6.7 kg/m2, p = 0.022) than DS when adjusted for baseline values. Postoperatively, SS-E had significantly higher handgrip strength (26 ± 9 kgF vs. 24 ± 6 kgF, p = 0.044) than DS at 90-days post-discharge after adjusted for preoperative values. At 90-days post-discharge, the proportions of patients in SS with albumin < 35 g/d, CAR ≥ 0.1, mPINI ≥ 0.4, mGPS score 1 or 2 were significantly reduced while in SS-E, the reduction in proportions of patients with high hsCRP and mPINI ≥ 0.4 was significant compared to upon discharge. Preoperative ONS had modest benefits in attenuating weight loss whilst postoperative supplementation up to 90-days post-discharge improved handgrip strength and inflammatory prognostic markers.

Extensive effort has been focused on the advancement of an efficient catalyst for CO 2 reforming of CH 4 to achieve optimum catalytic activity together with cost-effectiveness and high resistance to catalyst deactivation. In this study, for the first time, a new catalytic support/catalyst system of bifunctional NiO/dolomite has been synthesized by a wet impregnation method using low-cost materials, and it shows unique performance in terms of amphoteric sites and self-reduction properties. The catalysts were loaded into a continuous micro-reactor equipped with an online GC-TCD system. The reaction was carried out with a gas mixture consisting of CH 4 and CO 2 in the ratio of 1 : 1 flowing 30 ml min -1 at 800 °C for 10 h. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were determined by various methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 adsorption-desorption, H 2 temperature-programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR), temperature-programmed desorption of CO 2 (TPD-CO 2 ), and temperature-programmed desorption of NH 3 (TPD-NH 3 ). The highest catalytic performance of the DRM reaction was shown by the 10% NiO/dolomite catalyst (CH 4 & CO 2 conversion, χ CH 4 ; χ CO 2 ∼ 98% and H 2 selectivity, S H 2 = 75%; H 2 /CO ∼ 1 : 1 respectively). Bifunctional properties of amphoteric sites on the catalyst and self-reduction behaviour of the NiO/dolomite catalyst improved dry reforming of the CH 4 process by enhancing CH 4 and CO 2 conversion without involving a catalyst reduction step, and the catalyst was constantly active for more than 10 h., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Free-piston engine generators (FPEGs) have huge potential to be the principal energy conversion device for generating electricity from fuel as part of a hybrid-electric vehicle (EV) powertrain system. The principal advantages lay in the fact that they are theoretically more efficient, more compact, and more lightweight compared to other competing EV hybrid and range-extender solutions (internal combustion engines, rotary engines, fuel cells, etc.). However, this potential has yet to be realized. This article details a novel dual-piston FPEG configuration and presents the full layout of a system and provides technical evidence of a commercial FPEG system's likely size and weight. The work also presents the first results obtained from a project which set-out to realize an operational FPEG system in hardware through the development and testing of a flexible prototype test platform. The work presents the performance and control system characteristics, for a first of a kind system; these show great technical potential with stable and repeatable combustion events achieved with around 700 W per cylinder and 26% indicated efficiency., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Objective: Preprocedural bowel preparation is necessary for optimal colonoscopy visualisation. However, it is challenging to achieve high-quality bowel preparation among patients scheduled for colonoscopy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an intensive patient educational programme on the quality of bowel preparation., Design: An accessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was carried out at the outpatient surgical clinic of a tertiary hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (received standard written and verbal instructions) or the experimental group (received an intensive and structured educational programme). All subjects completed a questionnaire before colonoscopy to assess their compliance, acceptability, and tolerability towards bowel preparation regime. Quality of bowel preparation was determined using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS)., Results: A total of 300 subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited. The experimental group had a significantly higher proportion of good quality bowel preparation than the control group (98.7% vs 52.3%, p<0.001). The median total BBPS score was also significantly higher in the experimental group (8 vs 5, p<0.001). Factors associated with good quality of bowel preparation included educational programme (OR: 22.79, 95% CI: 4.23 to 122.85, p<0.001), compliance to bowel cleansing agent (OR: 24.98, 95% CI 3.12 to 199.71, p<0.001), very difficult acceptability of preparation (OR: 0.11, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.38, p<0.001), tolerability towards bowel preparation (OR: 4.98, 95% CI 1.44 to 17.20, p<0.011) and hypomotility drugs (OR: 3.03, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.91, p<0.05)., Conclusion: An intensive patient educational programme can significantly improve the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Budesonide/formoterol used for both maintenance and reliever therapy has been shown to benefit patients with persistent asthma. We evaluated patient satisfaction and asthma control among Malaysian patients prescribed budesonide/formoterol as single maintenance and reliever therapy in a real-life clinical practice., Methods: Adult patients diagnosed with partially controlled or uncontrolled asthma were recruited in a 6-month, prospective, open-label study involving ten hospital-based chest clinics in Malaysia. Patients were prescribed one or two inhalations of budesonide/formoterol Turbuhaler (160/4.5 μg per inhalation) twice daily as maintenance therapy and additional inhalation as reliever therapy. Maintenance doses were decided by physicians based on Global Initiative for Asthma-defined treatment objectives. The primary outcome measure was the change in mean Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire (SATQ) scores from baseline to an average of 3 months and 6 months. Secondary outcome was the change in mean Asthma Control Questionnaire 5-item version (ACQ-5) scores from baseline to an average of 3 months and 6 months and the proportion of patients achieving the minimum clinically important difference., Results: Of 201 eligible patients recruited, 195 completed the study. Overall, SATQ mean (standard deviation) score was significantly improved from 5.1 (0.76) at baseline to 5.5 (0.58) (P < 0.001). The increase was observed in all domains of SATQ and had occurred at 3 months for most patients. ACQ-5 mean (standard deviation) score was significantly reduced from 2.2 (1.13) at baseline to 1.2 (0.95) (P < 0.001). A total of 132 (67.7.1%) patients had achieved the minimal clinically important difference (≥0.5) of ACQ-5 scores at study end., Conclusion: In a nationwide study, budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy achieved greater patient satisfaction and better asthma control compared with previous conventional asthma regimes among Malaysian patients treated in a real-life practice setting. Such an approach may represent an important treatment alternative for our local patients with persistent asthma.

Background: The dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) plays a role in many diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and addictive behaviour. Methods currently available for the detection of DRD2 polymorphisms are costly and cannot detect all 8 polymorphisms of our research interest simultaneously (Val96Ala, Leu141Leu, Val154Ile, Pro310Ser, Ser311Cys, TaqI A, A-241G, and -141C Ins/Del). Therefore, we developed a nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of these polymorphisms., Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood using standardised methods. Primers specific at the 3'-end for the polymorphic sites were designed. A two-step PCR method was developed. In the first PCR, a region from exon 3 to 4, exon 7, the promoter region, and the 3'-region of DRD2 were specifically amplified. The products were subsequently used as templates in the second PCR. Sequencing was performed to validate the test results., Results: Specific bands corresponding to the amplified product of interest were obtained. The method was reproducible and specific when used to genotype patients with schizophrenia. The amplified sequences showed 100% homology to the DRD2 sequence., Conclusion: The method was found to be simple, rapid, specific, and reproducible for the simultaneous detection of the DRD2 polymorphisms.

The cyclo-hexane-1,3-dicarboxyl-ate dianion in the title three-dimensional coordination polymer, [Zn(2)(C(8)H(10)O(4))(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))](n), has one carboxyl-ate group in an equatorial position and the other in an axial position of the cyclo-hexane ring, which adopts a chair conformation. The carboxyl-ate groups function as bridges to two adjacent Zn(II) atoms, generating a layer motif. Adjacent layers are linked through the 4,4'-bipyridine N-heterocycle, forming a three-dimensional network; the geometry of Zn(II) is square-pyramidal with the N atom of the N-heterocycle occupying the apical position. The N-heterocycle lies about a center of inversion and is disordered in a 1:1 ratio with respect to the C atoms bearing H atoms.

The cyclo-hexane-1,3-dicarboxyl-ate dianion in the dinuclear centrosymmetric title compound, [Zn(2)(C(8)H(10)O(4))(2)(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], has a chair conformation with both carboxyl-ate groups in equatorial positions. One carboxyl-ate group chelates a Zn(II) atom, whereas the other binds through one O atom only to confer a six-coordinate status to the N-heterocycle-chelated water-coordinated Zn(II) atom. Adjacent dinuclear mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a linear chain.

Background: Our objective was to investigate the association of CYP2D6 polymorphisms with symptoms and side-effects of patients with schizophrenia., Methods: The subjects were 156 patients with schizophrenia undergoing antipsychotic treatment at a psychiatric clinic. Patients with co-morbid diagnoses of substance abuse or mental retardation were excluded from the study. Psychopathology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Extrapyramidal side-effects and akathisia were assessed with the Simpson Angus Scale (SAS) and the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), respectively. DNA was extracted from blood and subjected to PCR-genotyping., Results: We found that CYP2D6 polymorphisms were significantly associated with a subtotal negative PANSS score. In addition, CYP2D6 is not related to side-effects of antipsychotic therapy, or SAS and BARS scores. The results suggest that CYP2D6 polymorphisms may have implications in treatment response., Conclusions: Therefore, CYP2D6 may be a predictor for treatment outcomes of patients with schizophrenia. However, further investigation is required to confirm these findings in a larger sample.

The relationship between stress and illness is complex. The susceptibility to stress varies from person to person. Among the factors that influenced the susceptibility to stress are genetic vulnerability, coping style, type of personality and social support. Not all stress has negative effect. Studies have shown that short-term stress boosted the immune system, but chronic stress has a significant effect on the immune system that ultimately manifest an illness. It raises catecholamine and suppressor T cells levels, which suppress the immune system. This suppression, in turn raises the risk of viral infection. Stress also leads to the release of histamine, which can trigger severe broncho-constriction in asthmatics. Stress increases the risk for diabetes mellitus, especially in overweight individuals, since psychological stress alters insulin needs. Stress also alters the acid concentration in the stomach, which can lead to peptic ulcers, stress ulcers or ulcerative colitis. Chronic stress can also lead to plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis), especially if combined with a high-fat diet and sedentary living. The correlation between stressful life events and psychiatric illness is stronger than the correlation with medical or physical illness. The relationship of stress with psychiatric illness is strongest in neuroses, which is followed by depression and schizophrenia. There is no scientific evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the immune system changes and the development of cancer. However, recent studies found a link between stress, tumour development and suppression of natural killer (NK) cells, which is actively involved in preventing metastasis and destroying small metastases.

The Ni atom in the centrosymmetric title compound, [Ni(C(10)H(9)N(4)S)(2)], is N,S-chelated by the deprotonated Schiff bases in a square-planar geometry. The -CH=N-N=C(S)-NH(2) frament is planar. Adjacent mol-ecules are linked by hydrogen bonds between the indolyl -NH (donor) site and the double-bond =N- (acceptor) site of an adjacent mol-ecule, forming a layer motif.

The Ni atom in the title compound, [Ni(C(17)H(15)N(2)O)(2)]·2C(3)H(7)NO, lies on a twofold rotation axis. It is N,O-chelated by the deprotonated Schiff base 2-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl-imino-meth-yl]phenolate ligand in a square-planar coordination environment. The mol-ecule is linked to a solvent mol-ecule by an indole-dimethyl-formamide N-H⋯O hydrogen bond.

The Ni atom in the crystal structure of the centrosymmetric title compound, [Ni(C(19)H(15)N(6)S)(2)]·2C(2)H(6)OS, is N,S-chelated by the deprotonated Schiff bases in a square-planar geometry. The -CH=N-N=C(S)-NH-N=CH- frament is planar. The two indolyl -NH (donor) sites inter-act with dimethyl sulfoxide mol-ecules to furnish a layer motif.

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C(8)H(12)O(4), lies on a twofold rotation axis that passes through the mid-points of two opposite C-C bonds of the ring. Carboxyl groups of adjacent mol-ecules are linked by pairs of hydrogen bonds around a centre of inversion; this inter-action gives rise to a chain that runs along [101].

In the mononuclear complex mol-ecule of the title compond, [ZnCl(2)(C(18)H(18)N(2)O)(2)]·2C(18)H(18)N(2)O, the Zn atom, which lies on a twofold rotation axis, is coordinated by phenolate O atoms in a tetra-hedral coordination geometry. The coordinated Schiff base uses its indole NH donor site to form a hydrogen bond to the negatively charged phenolate O atom of the uncoordinated zwitterionic Schiff base. There is an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond in the coordinated and uncoordinated Schiff bases. The indole NH site of the uncoordinated Schiff base does not engage in a hydrogen-bond inter-action. The CH(2)-CH(2) group in the uncoordinated Schiff base is disordered equally over two positions.

The hydroxyl group in each of the two independent mol-ecules of the title compound, C(7)H(5)NO(4), participates in two O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, viz. one intra-molecular bond to the nitro group and one inter-molecular bond to the aldehyde group of the same mol-ecule in the next unit, resulting in a linear chain structure. The dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the nitro group is 10.9 (3)° in one mol-ecule and 9.9 (2)° in the other.

In the essentially planar title mol-ecule, C(10)H(9)BrN(4)S, the C=N double bond is in a trans configuration. In the crystal structure, the S atom acts as a hydrogen-bond acceptor for the aromatic NH, aliphatic NH and terminal NH(2) groups of three symmetry-related mol-ecules, forming a weak hydrogen-bonded layer structure.

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C(14)H(10)FN(3)O(3)S, consists of an indole unit and a phenylsulfonyl unit that are disposed in an approximately trans orientation relative to the N-N single bond. Two mol-ecules are arranged about a center of inversion, forming a hydrazide-carbonyl N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonded dimer; the dimers are linked by an indole-sulfonyl N-H⋯O hydrogen bond into a ribbon.

The indolyl -NH group of the title Schiff base, C(19)H(19)N(3)O(2), forms a hydrogen bond to the -OH group of an inversion-related mol-ecule, resulting in a hydrogen-bonded dimer; adjacent dimers are further linked through an inter-dimer N-H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the -C(=O)-NH-N=fragment to form a linear ribbon that runs along the a axis.

The low-temperature structure of the title compound, C(4)H(8)N(2)O, is ordered, whereas the central methyl-ene groups is disordered in the reported room-temperature structure. The molecule lies across a mirror plane; adjacent mol-ecules are linked by an N-H⋯O hydrogen bond into a chain.

The title compound, C(8)H(7)FO(2), crystallizes as discrete mol-ecules, the conformation of which may be influenced by an intra-molecular hydr-oxy-carbonyl O-H⋯O hydrogen bond.

The molecule of the title compound, C(18)H(14)N(4), lies on a center of inversion such that there is one half-mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit. The N-N single bond adopts a trans configuration and the indole fused-ring system is nearly coplanar with the -CH=N-N=CH- fragment [dihedral angle = 9.8 (2)°]. Adjacent mol-ecules are linked by indole-azine N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into a layer motif.

In the title compound, C(13)H(12)N(2)O(4)S, the dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 89.5 (1)°. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are linked by O-H⋯O(hydr-oxy) and N-H⋯O(sulfon-yl) hydrogen bonds, forming a ribbon that propagates along the b axis; there is also an intra-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bond.

The Zn atom in the title compound, [Zn(C(17)H(14)ClN(2)O)(2)], is N,O-chelated by two deprotonated Schiff base monoanionic ligands in a tetra-hedral coordination geometry. The Zn atom lies on a special position of site symmetry 2.

Two mol-ecules of the title compound, C(15)H(15)NO(3), are linked by a pair of O-H⋯O(carbon-yl) hydrogen bonds over a centre of inversion to form a hydrogen-bonded dimer. With respect to the -C(=O)-N(OH)- unit, the methoxy-substituted ring is twisted by 42.2 (1)°, whereas the methyl-substituted ring is twisted by 52.2 (1)°.

Schizophrenia is a complex biological disorder with multifactorial mode of transmission where non-genetic determinants are also play important role. It is now clear that it involves combined effect of many genes, each conferring a small increase in liability to the illness. Thus no causal disease genes or single gene of major effects, only susceptible genes are operating. Given this complexity, it comes as no surprise of the difficulty to find susceptible genes. However, schizophrenia genes have been found at last. Recent studies on molecular genetics of schizophrenia which focused on positional and functional candidate genes postulated to be associated with schizophrenia are beginning to produce findings of great interest. These include neuregulin (NRG-1, 8p12-21), dysbindin, (DTNBP1,6p22.3), G72 (13q34) / D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO,12q24), proline dehydrogenase (PRODH-2, 22q11.21), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT, 22q11.21), regulator of G protein signaling (RGS-4), 5HT2A and dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3). Applications of microarrays methods were able to locate positional candidate genes related to dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. New genome scan project, seen in the light of previous scans, provide support for schizophrenia candidate region on chromosome 1q, 2q, 5q, 6p, 8p, 10p, 13q,15q and 22q. Other reports described including the application of LD mapping and positional cloning technique, microarray technology and efforts to develop quantitative phenotype. More exciting finding is expected in near future with the completion of Hap Map project.