Equally vs. unequally keyed blocks in forced-choice questionnaires: Implications on validity and reliability.

Forced-choice (FC) questionnaires have gained scientific interest over the last decades. However, the inclusion of unequally keyed item pairs in FC questionnaires remains a subject of debate, as there is evidence supporting both their usage and avoidance. Designing unequally keyed pairs may be more difficult when considering social desirability, as they might allow the identification of ideal responses.

TSPO Modulates Oligomeric Amyloid-β-Induced Monocyte Chemotaxis: Relevance for Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Neuroinflammation is one of the cardinal mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). with amyloid-β (Aβ) playing a critical role by activating microglia to produce soluble inflammatory mediators, including several chemokines. Peripheral monocytes are, therefore, attracted into the central nervous system (CNS), where they change into blood-born microglia and participate in the attempt of removing toxic Aβ species.

[Off-label use of mycophenolate mofetil in immune-mediated diseases].

Background: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a largely used immunosuppressive agent in the prevention of transplant rejection and lupus nephritis. Its use has been extended to other immune-mediated diseases (ID).

Aim: To assess the off-label use of MMF, its performance as a glucocorticoid sparing agent, the therapeutic response, and its adverse effects.

Prednisone and long-term damage in systemic lupus erythematosus: Which is the threshold dose? A pilot study.

Objectives: We aimed to study the daily dose of glucocorticoids in the first month associated with damage after 5 years of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis; and to assess the daily dose of prednisone during the first year, over which damage after 5 years could be predicted.

Methodology: A retrospective cohort study of SLE patients from the diagnosis and up to 5 years of follow-up was performed. Cumulative prednisone doses in the first month (T1m), at 1 year (T12m), and at 5 years (T5y) were calculated.