Electronic cigarettes (EC), marketed as smoking cessation tools and safer alternatives to combustible tobacco products, are widely used among adolescents despite a lack of conclusive research regarding the health effects of long-term EC exposure. Few studies have examined the effects of subchronic EC exposure on pulmonary inflammation, and have reported inconsistent findings. Thus, we aimed to determine whether subchronic EC exposure would alter immune cell recruitment in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of female Apolipoprotein E null (ApoE-KO) mice compared to filtered-air (FA) controls. ApoE-KO mice (n=9-11/group) were exposed to FA or EC (bluPLUS+™ with 2.4% nicotine) as follows: 4-s puffs every 26-s, 8 puffs/episode, one episode/30-min for 11-hrs/day, 7 days/week for 12 weeks. At the end of the exposure regime, animals were immediately euthanized and BALF was collected with 100uL of sample placed onto microscope slides. Slides were stained with Hema-3 and 200 cells per sample were counted to determine immune cell populations present. We found that EC-exposed mice had significantly lower total cell counts (p=0.01)—including reduced macrophage (p=0.01) and lymphocyte counts (p=0.02)—while granulocytes remained unchanged. There was a significant reduction in the percentage of lymphocytes in EC-exposed mice (p=0.01), with no change in macrophage or granulocyte percentages. Overall, we determined that subchronic EC exposure of female ApoE-KO mice led to decreased immune cell recruitment in the lungs.

Introduction: The Adolescent HIV Medicine Trials Network (ATN) CARES intervention (ATN 149) was a randomized controlled factorial trial aimed to reduce HIV risk among youth using automated text messaging and monitoring (AMMI), online peer support (PS), and strengths-based coaching in-person or via telehealth (Coaching). From this, we conducted a mixed methods implementation science study. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and self-administered surveys were conducted with 28 Southern California HIV prevention staff on feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the intervention strategies and for AI chatbot support. Mixed methods analyses included rapid qualitative, deductive coding, and descriptive statistics comparisons using Dedoose. Results: AI chatbots received the lowest feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness ratings compared to the study intervention strategies (AMMI, PS, Coaching), which many stakeholders had prior experiences with. Stakeholders valued AI chatbots for reducing staff burden and handling administrative, repetitive, and low risk informational tasks. Concerns included EHR integration, staff discomfort with new technology, limited efficacy evidence, and legal, ethical, and privacy risks. Participants noted that empathy, trust, and nuanced judgment require human staff. Discussion: AI chatbots were seen as selectively useful but less implementation ready than other CARES modalities. Stakeholders favored a collaborative model in which chatbots support care while human staff remain central.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US for Asian Pacific Islander (API) individuals, and API exhibit an increased risk of hospitalization from obstructive pulmonary diseases. Despite this, there is a lack of research on how overall lung health is affected by health disparities. Thus, this study explores how immigration status, language/cultural barriers, and healthcare access affect the lung health of API communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Participants at health fairs hosted by the Asian Pacific Health Corps (APHC) completed a peak flow screening and research survey paired with a demographic data intake form. Survey question topics include immigration status, language proficiency, healthcare access, and lung health history. The screening data was paired with the corresponding survey responses, analyzing trends between the two. Statistical analyses will be used to find correlations between immigration status, language barriers, and healthcare access and lung health. A link between individuals who have difficulty accessing healthcare services and individuals who don’t regularly receive screenings is expected. Additionally, we expect to see first generation immigrants reporting lower scores in their satisfaction in their healthcare services compared to second or third generation immigrants. By examining factors like health literacy gaps and cultural stigma, we seek to inform equitable policies and promote awareness of lung disease and health screening, improving lung health outcomes.

The unique geographical landscape of the Department of Antioquia of Colombia contributes to the unequal access to Hospital Mental de Antioquia Maria Upegui (HOMO), the primary provider of psychiatric care in Antioquia. To help improve accessibility, HOMO introduced a telemedicine project that aimed to make psychiatric care accessible for more distant regions of Antioquia. In this project, we use data from patients in the HOMO hospital participating in the Mision Origen genetic study to understand the clinical differences between patients who use telemedicine and patients who do not. Using electronic health records from 7,451 patients with diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder, we utilized a matched cohort design controlling for current municipality (address), socioeconomic status, and diagnosis. Clinical features extracted from patient notes were modeled using negative binomial and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models and accounted for visit frequency and illness severity. We find that individuals who use telemedicine show lower rates of 40 clinical features, including apathy, guilt, irritability, and social withdrawal/isolation, and higher rates of altered affective modulation. Limitations include pre-existing clinical differences between groups. Our findings suggest that telemedicine may be helping patients access care more readily and impacting clinical outcomes.