The PRISMA Statement consists of a 27-item checklist and a four-phase flow diagram. The checklist includes items deemed essential for transparent reporting of a systematic review. In this Explanation and Elaboration document, we explain the meaning and rationale for each checklist item. For each item, we include an example of good reporting and, where possible,

references to relevant empirical studies and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor clinical trial methodological literature. The PRISMA Statement, this document, and the associated Web site (http://www.prisma-statement.org/) should be helpful resources to improve reporting of systematic reviews and metaanalyses.”
“RAFT polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) has been investigated in the presence of chain transfer agent (CTA), i.e., prop-2-ynyl morpholine-4-carbodithioate (PMDC). The influence of reaction parameters such as monomer concentration [NVP], molar ratio of [CTA]/[AIBN, i.e., 2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropionitrile)] and [NVP]/[CTA], and

temperature have been studied with regard to time and conversion limit. This study evidences the parameters leading to an excellent control of molecular weight and molar mass dispersity. NVP has been polymerized by maintaining molar ratio [NVP]: [PMDC]: [AIBN] = 100 : 1 : 0.2. Kinetics of the reaction was strongly influenced by both temperature and [CTA]/[AIBN] ratio and to a lesser extent by monomer concentration. AZD6244 chemical structure HM781-36B The activation energy (Ea = 31.02

kJ mol-1) and enthalpy of activation (?H= 28.29 kJ mol-1) was in a good agreement to each other. The negative entropy of activation (?S = -210.16 J mol-1K-1) shows that the movement of reactants are highly restricted at transition state during polymerization. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011″
“Study Design. A cadaveric biomechanical study.

Objective. To investigate the biomechanical behavior of the cervical spine after cervical total disc replacement (TDR) adjacent to a fusion as compared to a two-level fusion.

Summary of Background Data. There are concerns regarding the biomechanical effects of cervical fusion on the mobile motion segments. Although previous biomechanical studies have demonstrated that cervical disc replacement normalizes adjacent segment motion, there is a little information regarding the function of a cervical disc replacement adjacent to an anterior cervical decompression and fusion, a potentially common clinical application.

Methods. Nine cadaveric cervical spines (C3-T1, age: 60.2 +/- 3.5 years) were tested under load-and displacement-control testing. After intact testing, a simulated fusion was performed at C4-C5, followed by C6-C7. The simulated fusion was then reversed, and the response of TDR at C5-C6 was measured.