Systematic studies were performed on interpolymer complex formation between poly(acry1ic acid) (PAA) and poly(ethy1ene oxide) (PEO) in THF-water mixtures of different compositions. Viscosity behaviour during complex formation in mixed solvents was found to be entirely different from that observed by other workers in aqueous and in pure organic solvents. The results are interpreted in terms of, (a) preferential solvation of the polymer, (b) probable change in conformation of the polyelectrolyte molecule, (c) association of complex molecules in a medium of low dielectric constant, and (d) expected disordering of bound water molecules around PEO by THF. Irrespective of solvent composition, interpolymer complex of PAA and PEO was always found to have 1 : 1 unit mole ratio.

Although infantile tremor syndrome is considered a rare entity, we present a typical case of this disorder. This case reinforces the association of infantile tremor syndrome with exclusive breastfeeding in infants and the absence of proper complementary feeding. A nine-month-old, irritable, listless, exclusively breastfed female presented with grade 2 malnutrition, tremors, hyperpigmentation, scarce scalp hair, and delayed developmental milestones. Laboratory investigations revealed macrocytic anemia and a low serum vitamin B12 value of 205 pg/dL. Cerebral and mild cerebellar atrophy were noted on the MRI brain scan. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with infantile tremor syndrome and treated with vitamin B12 and nutrient supplementation with zinc, magnesium, folic acid, and iron. The tremors improved and the child became responsive and interested in her surroundings. It is essential to recognize this condition at the earliest and initiate treatment. Basic interventions such as the promotion of proper nutrition, timely introduction of complementary feeding, and weaning practices are key factors in decreasing the incidence of this condition.

Some phenolic oligomers of uniform structure, molecular weight, and with additional functional groups have been prepared by stepwise synthesis. These synthetic novolaks when mixed in various molecular proportions resemble p-cresol formaldehyde condensation polymers. A study has been made on the titration curves of the mixtures of synthetic compounds in nonaqueous media. A large number of breaks have been observed in the titration curves, and they occur in simple multiples of the calculated amount of base required to neutralize each acidic group in the various novolak molecules independently. An attempt has been made to interpret some of these observations in terms of intramolecular hydrogen bonding, ion-association, and homoconjugation.

Multicomponent interpolymer complexes have been prepared by interacting a phenolic copolymer of known composition with several non-ionic homopolymers, e. g., PVP, PEO, PVA and polyelectrolytes, such as PAA and PEL The formation of these complexes has been studied by several techniques, such as viscometry, potentiometry, conductometry, and IR spectra. A scheme has been presented to explain the mode of interaction of the various component polymers. ZUSAMMENFASSUNGAus einem phenolischen Copolymeren bekannter Zusammensetzung und verschiedenen nicht ionischen Homopolymeren (PVP, PEO, PVA) sowie Polyelektrolyten wie PAA und PEI wurden in Usung Mehrkomponenten-Interpolymerkomplexe hergestellt. Die Bildung dieser Komplexe wurde mit verschiedenen Methoden, wie Viskosimetrie, Potentiometrie, Konduktometrie und IR-Spektroskopie untersucht. Es wird ein Schema zur Erkltirung der Art der Wechselwirkung zwischen den verschiedenen Polymerkomponenten vorgeschlagen.

No abstract