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BACKGROUND: The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation triggered a refugee crisis, affecting the multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) prevalence in neighbouring countries. This study examines the epidemiological trends and characteristics of MDR/RR-TB patients in Poland, focusing on the relative contribution of Ukrainian refugees. METHODS: Data from the Polish National Tuberculosis Registry and EPIC Project database, covering MDR/RR-TB cases reported between 2010 and Q1 2024, were analysed. RESULTS: The study included 794 MDR/RR-TB cases, showing a demographic shift post-2022. During the 10-year period up to 2021, a median of 48 MDR/RR-TB cases were reported annually in Poland. After 2022, these numbers doubled: 104 cases were reported in 2022 and 101 cases in 2023. Simultaneously, the number of Ukrainian MDR/RR-TB patients increased from 77 (13%) during 2010–2021 to 127 (58%) from 2022 to Q1 2024. CONCLUSION: Poland is observing an increased number of cases of MDR/RR-TB associated with the large number of displaced Ukrainian citizens who are now residing in Poland. There is a need to monitor the epidemiology of MDR/RR-TB and seek optimal screening and management strategies for TB among refugees from countries with high MDR/RR-TB incidence in Poland and Europe.

ObjectiveThe ability to assess cognitive skills remotely is increasing with the widespread use and availability of smartphones. The Mobile Toolbox (MTB) is a measurement system that includes Sequences, a new measure of working memory designed specifically for smartphones. This study describes the development of Sequences and presents the studies conducted to evaluate its psychometric properties.MethodsWe developed a new measure of working memory that can be self-administered remotely using an iOS or Android smartphone. In Sequences, a series of numbers and letters are shown on the screen one at a time, and the participant must first tap the letters they see in alphabetical order, followed by tapping the numbers in ascending numerical order. The Sequences measure was evaluated for usability and feasibility across two pilot studies and then assessed in this validation study (which included a total sample size of N = 1,246). Psychometric properties of the new measure were evaluated in three studies involving participants aged 18–90 years. In Study 1 (N = 92), participants completed MTB measures in a laboratory setting. They were also administered both an equivalent NIH Toolbox (NIHTB) measure along with external measures of similar constructs. In Study 2 (N = 1,007), participants were administered NIHTB measures in the laboratory and then completed MTB measures remotely on their own devices. In Study 3 (N = 147), participants completed MTB measures twice, remotely on their own devices, with a 2–week interval between sessions.ResultsSequences exhibited moderately high correlations with a comparable NIHTB test and external measures of a similar construct, while exhibiting a lower correlation with an unrelated test, as hypothesized. Internal consistency was high, but test-retest reliability was moderate. When controlling for age, phone operating system (iOS vs. Android) and sex assigned at birth did not significantly impact performance; however, there was a significant difference between individuals who completed college and those with a high school education or lower.ConclusionThe results support the validity of Sequences as a measure of working memory for remote self-administered use. The internal consistency was strong, with moderate test-retest reliability that is likely a function of the test's unproctored self-administration method. The findings suggest that Sequences is appropriate for use with adults aged 18–90 years in remote self-administered designs that focus on group results.

IntroductionThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test is a novel digitized measure designed to provide an assessment of near vision in a time-and cost-effective manner. This study is the first to report the psychometric properties of the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test in a sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.MethodsNinety-eight adults (ages 40–81) completed the tablet-based near vision test and the gold standard chart-based near vision test. Performance on the tablet-and chart-based near vision tests was expressed in logarithmic units. Chart-and tablet-based administration order was counterbalanced. To assess test–retest reliability, the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test was administered twice within the same day. Additionally, two equivalent versions of the chart-based test were randomly assigned to participants.ResultsAnalyses revealed that test–retest reliability of the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test was good (intraclass correlation = 0.87, p

Objective: The ability to assess cognitive skills remotely is increasing with the widespread use and availability of smartphones. The Mobile Toolbox (MTB) is a measurement system that includes Sequences, a new measure of working memory designed specifically for smartphones. This study describes the development of Sequences and presents the studies conducted to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: We developed a new measure of working memory that can be self-administered remotely using an iOS or Android smartphone. In Sequences, a series of numbers and letters are shown on the screen one at a time, and the participant must first tap the letters they see in alphabetical order, followed by tapping the numbers in ascending numerical order. The Sequences measure was evaluated for usability and feasibility across two pilot studies and then assessed in this validation study (which included a total sample size of N = 1,246). Psychometric properties of the new measure were evaluated in three studies involving participants aged 18–90 years. In Study 1 (N = 92), participants completed MTB measures in a laboratory setting. They were also administered both an equivalent NIH Toolbox (NIHTB) measure along with external measures of similar constructs. In Study 2 (N = 1,007), participants were administered NIHTB measures in the laboratory and then completed MTB measures remotely on their own devices. In Study 3 (N = 147), participants completed MTB measures twice, remotely on their own devices, with a 2–week interval between sessions. Results: Sequences exhibited moderately high correlations with a comparable NIHTB test and external measures of a similar construct, while exhibiting a lower correlation with an unrelated test, as hypothesized. Internal consistency was high, but test-retest reliability was moderate. When controlling for age, phone operating system (iOS vs. Android) and sex assigned at birth did not significantly impact performance; however, there was a significant difference between individuals who completed college and those with a high school education or lower. Conclusion: The results support the validity of Sequences as a measure of working memory for remote self-administered use. The internal consistency was strong, with moderate test-retest reliability that is likely a function of the test's unproctored self-administration method. The findings suggest that Sequences is appropriate for use with adults aged 18–90 years in remote self-administered designs that focus on group results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test is a novel digitized measure designed to provide an assessment of near vision in a time-and cost-effective manner. This study is the first to report the psychometric properties of the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test in a sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Ninety-eight adults (ages 40–81) completed the tablet-based near vision test and the gold standard chart-based near vision test. Performance on the tablet-and chart-based near vision tests was expressed in logarithmic units. Chart-and tablet-based administration order was counterbalanced. To assess test–retest reliability, the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test was administered twice within the same day. Additionally, two equivalent versions of the chart-based test were randomly assigned to participants. Results: Analyses revealed that test–retest reliability of the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test was good (intraclass correlation = 0.87, p < 0.001). Concurrence between the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test and gold standard chart-based test was also good (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). Discussion: Findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the NIH Toolbox Near Visual Acuity Test as a near vision assessment for middle-aged to older adult populations. With further research, the integration of this test within the widely used NIH Toolbox may provide a more efficient means to understanding how near visual acuity influences neurocognitive test performance and brain function in middle-aged to older adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]