March 2025 Member Publications

  1. Yao Z, Tasdighi E, Dardari ZA, Jha KK, Osuji N, Rajan T, Boakye E, Rodriguez CJ, Matsushita K, Simonsick EM, Lima JAC, Widome R, Cohen DL, Appel LJ, Khera A, Hall ME, Judd SE, Cole SA, Vasan RS, Benjamin EJ, Lotufo PA, Benseñor IM, El Khoudary SR, Barinas-Mitchell E, Janssen I, Psaty BM, Eaton CB, LaMonte MJ, Cawthon PM, Orwoll ES, Irvin MR, Bhatnagar A, DeFilippis AP, El-Shahaway O, Blaha MJ. Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Harm. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025 Mar 18;85(10):1018-1034. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.12.032. PMID: 40074467.
    Impact Statement: This large, multi-cohort study found strong, dose-dependent associations between smoking and subclinical markers of cardiovascular harm, with some markers remaining elevated even decades after cessation. These findings highlight the lasting cardiovascular impact of smoking and underscore the importance of tobacco regulation and cessation efforts. 
  2. Erhabor J, Yao Z, Tasdighi E, Benjamin EJ, Bhatnagar A, Blaha MJ. E-cigarette Use and Incident Cardiometabolic Conditions in the All of Us Research Program. Nicotine Tob Res. 2025 Mar 15:ntaf067. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf067. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40089810.
    Impact Statement: This study found that exclusive e-cigarette use was associated with increased risk of COPD, and hypertension among adults aged 30–70, while dual use and exclusive combustible cigarette use were linked to significantly higher risks for multiple cardiometabolic conditions. These findings offer critical evidence to inform regulatory decisions on emerging tobacco products. 
  3. Anderson LB, Holm RH, Black C, Biddle DJ, Chiu WA, Bhatnagar A, Smith T. An environmental vulnerability index framework supporting targeted public health interventions at the census tracts level. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2025 Mar 5. doi: 10.1038/s41370-025-00763-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40044815.
    Impact Statement: We create a comprehensive Environmental Vulnerability Index at the census tract level for Jefferson County, enabling highly targeted public health interventions directly aligned with most relevant risks. Its implementation can significantly advance health outcomes by guiding precise, localized actions to reduce environmental risks.
  4. Erhabor J, Yao Z, Tasdighi E, Shahawy OE, Benjamin EJ, Bhatnagar A, Blaha MJ. Association of e-cigarette use, psychological distress, and substance use: Insights from the All of Us Research Program. Addict Behav. 2025 Mar 19;166:108322. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108322. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40112576.
    Impact Statement: This study leveraged data from over 68,000 U.S. adults in the All of Us Research Program to reveal strong associations between e-cigarette use, psychological distress, and substance use, offering critical insight into the social and behavioral context of vaping. These findings can guide targeted public health interventions to address co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns among e-cigarette users. 
  5. Nielsen G, Gondim DD, Cave MC, Heiger-Bernays WJ, Webster TF, Schlezinger JJ. Perfluorooctanoic acid increases serum cholesterol in a PPARα-dependent manner in female mice. Arch Toxicol. 2025 Mar 1. doi: 10.1007/s00204-025-03984-7. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40021516.
    Impact Statement: This study demonstrates that PFOA, a common PFAS, disrupts lipid homeostasis in mice through both PPARα-dependent and independent mechanisms, with notable sex-specific effects. Findings highlight the relevance of humanized models in understanding PFAS toxicity and underscore the need to consider sex and genetic variability in risk assessment. 
  6. Pagel PS, Huang J, Augoustides JGT, Schwartz AJ, Hessel EA 2nd, Kaplan JA. A History of the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Nearly 40 Years and Counting. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2025 Feb 25:S1053-0770(25)00176-4. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2025.02.035. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40082094.
    Impact Statement: The Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia has shaped the field for nearly four decades, setting the standard for subspecialty anesthesiology journals worldwide. Its enduring leadership and commitment to advancing clinical practice have solidified its position as the foremost publication in cardiac, thoracic, and vascular anesthesia. 
  7. Haysley J, Soliman-Aboumarie H, Huang J, Kalra DK. Perioperative atrial fibrillation. BJA Educ. 2025 Mar;25(3):99-106. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2024.10.006. Epub 2025 Jan 3. PMID: 40034815; PMCID: PMC11872467.
    Impact Statement: This publication highlights the multifactorial nature of perioperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after non-cardiac surgery and underscores the importance of accurate risk prediction, homeostatic management, and multidisciplinary care to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. It also emphasizes the need for validated predictive tools and individualized prevention strategies to improve patient outcomes. 
  8. Jana U, Rodriguez OL, Lees W, Engelbrecht E, Vanwinkle Z, Peres A, Gibson WS, Shields K, Schultze S, Dorgham A, Emery M, Deikus G, Sebra R, Eichler EE, Yaari G, Smith ML, Watson CT. The human immunoglobulin heavy chain constant gene locus is enriched for large complex structural variants and coding polymorphisms that vary in frequency among human populations. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Feb 12:2025.02.12.634878. doi: 10.1101/2025.02.12.634878. PMID: 39990387; PMCID: PMC11844466.
    Impact Statement: This study provides a comprehensive high-quality catalog of immunoglobulin heavy chain constant (IGHC) haplotypes and variants from a diverse cohort, uncovering novel alleles and structural variants with significant population differentiation. These findings offer a crucial foundation for understanding the genetic diversity within the IGHC locus and its implications for antibody function and disease susceptibility. 
  9. Beier JI, Luo J, Vanderpuye CM, Brizendine P, Muddasani P, Bolatimi O, Heinig SA, Ekuban FA, Siddiqui H, Ekuban A, Gripshover TC, Wahlang B, Watson WH, Cave MC. Environmental Pollutants, Occupational Exposures, and Liver Disease. Semin Liver Dis. 2025 Mar 21. doi: 10.1055/a-2540-2861. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40118102.
    Impact Statement:The publication highlights the significant role of environmental pollutants in the development and progression of liver disease, emphasizing how even low level exposures, shaped by factors like diet and other social determinants of health, can drive liver pathology. It underscores the need for integrating environmental health into clinical practice and public health policy to address emerging environmental concerns.