November 2025 Member Publications

  1. Tasdighi E, Yao Z, Dardari ZA, Jha KK, Osuji N, Rajan T, Boakye E, Matsushita K, Simonsick EM, Lima JAC, Lloyd-Jones DM, Cohen DL, Appel LJ, Khera A, Hall ME, Rodriguez CJ, Judd S, Cole SA, Ramachandran VS, Benjamin EJ, Lotufo PA, Bittencourt MS, El Khoudary SR, Thurston RC, Derby CA, Psaty BM, Eaton CB, LaMonte MJ, Cawthon PM, Orwoll ES, Bhatnagar A, DeFilippis AP, Blaha MJ. Association between cigarette smoking status, intensity, and cessation duration with long-term incidence of nine cardiovascular and mortality outcomes: The Cross-Cohort Collaboration (CCC). PLoS Med. 2025 Nov 18;22(11):e1004561. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004561. PMID: 41252354; PMCID: PMC12626310.
    Impact Statement: By analyzing data from over 320,000 adults, this study clarifies that cardiovascular risk rises sharply even at minimal smoking levels and that reducing cigarette consumption is not an adequate harm-reduction strategy. These results highlight smoking cessation as the most effective intervention, offering rapid and sustained health benefits over time. 
  2. Cai L. Advancing Dose-Response Research: Integrating Exposome, Multi-Omics, and Low-Dose Phenomena in Toxicology and Medicine. Dose Response. 2025 Nov 5;23(4):15593258251395790. doi: 10.1177/15593258251395790. PMID: 41209350; PMCID: PMC12589781.
    Impact Statement: This article spotlights the rapid evolution of dose-response research and affirms the journal’s role in promoting rigorous, innovative science at the intersection of toxicology and modern omics technologies. It sets a forward-looking agenda that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and supports the translation of low-dose research into informed policy and practice. 
  3. Diven SS, Tarvestad-Laise K, Hein DW, Wise JTF. Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase 1 Knockout in Immortalized Human Bronchial Cells Results in a Reduction of Cellular Growth. Gene Rep. 2025 Dec;41:102332. doi: 10.1016/j.genrep.2025.102332. Epub 2025 Sep 7. PMID: 41306765; PMCID: PMC12646574.
    Impact Statement: This study demonstrates that loss of NAT1 reduces cell growth in non-tumorigenic human lung epithelial and fibroblast cells, supporting a non-canonical role for NAT1 beyond xenobiotic metabolism. These findings strengthen evidence that NAT1 influences cellular growth pathways without inducing genomic instability, offering new insight into its potential relevance in lung biology and disease. 
  4. Carrier C, Polivka B, Huntington-Moskos L, Elderaiwi K, Cramer E, Nyenhuis S. The Associations Between Neighborhood Factors on Asthma Medication Adherence in Adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2025 Oct 30:S2213-2198(25)01017-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.10.030. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41175968.
    Impact Statement: This study looked at adults with asthma and the association between perceived unsafe or poorly maintained neighborhoods and their medication adherence. The findings suggest that the accumulation of neighborhood stressors is associated with decreased adherence. As such, clinicians should consider assessing social determinants of health to support medication adherence among adults with asthma. 
  5. Saxena D, Walter K, Amona E, Kong M, Perlman S, Zheng J. Prior murine neurotropic coronavirus infection ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalitis. J Autoimmun. 2025 Nov 24;158:103504. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2025.103504. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41289822.
    Impact Statement: This study identifies a novel, infection-induced Foxp3⁺ CD8 regulatory T-cell population that forms in the CNS after neurotropic coronavirus infection and protects against subsequent autoimmune neuroinflammation. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized post-infectious anti-inflammatory pathway that may inform new therapeutic strategies for neuroimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. 
  6. Vu GT, Mayya V, Mandhidi B, King C, Little BB, Gurupur V, Singhal A. Application of machine learning to predict periodontal disease in US adults: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2009-2014. Health Informatics J. 2025 Oct-Dec;31(4):14604582251394617. doi: 10.1177/14604582251394617. Epub 2025 Nov 14. PMID: 41235621.
    Impact Statement: By evaluating multiple machine learning approaches, this research shows that advanced classifiers can effectively predict periodontal disease and pinpoint key risk indicators such as age and routine dental visits. The results underscore the promise of ML-based screening tools to enhance risk assessment and guide targeted interventions in dental health. 
  7. Singhal R, Qaissi Z, Zheng H, Hua Y, Hardesty JE, Rouchka EC, Merchant ML, Kong M, Wahlang B. Sex-dependent modulation of PCB-mediated toxicity from a proteomic and microbiome perspective. Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 14;15(1):39903. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-23603-w. PMID: 41238692; PMCID: PMC12618472.
    Impact Statement: This study uses complementary liver proteomics and gut microbiome sequencing to reveal sex-specific pathways of PCB toxicity across multiple organs. By demonstrating the power of multi-omics platforms to uncover interconnected toxic responses, it strengthens the scientific foundation for more accurate risk assessment of persistent environmental pollutants. Funded in part by the CIEHS Small CUSP Award, this publication highlights meaningful collaboration among CIEHS investigators and colleagues across the University of Louisville, including the Center for Cardiometabolic Science, University of Louisville.
  8. Xu Z, Lei C, Sriwastva MK, Wang T, Tuohongerbieke A, Song X, Noud C, Derkson S, Tan Y, Dryden G, McClain CJ, Deng Z. Intestinal Neutral Ceramidase Deficiency Triggers Regulatory T Cell Response via Gd3 to Protect the Host from Intestinal Inflammation. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Nov 7:e12681. doi: 10.1002/advs.202512681. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41201002.
    Impact Statement: This study reveals that loss of intestinal epithelial neutral ceramidase protects against colitis by driving GD3 ganglioside production, which engages Siglec-E on macrophages to promote IL-33–dependent regulatory T-cell expansion. These findings uncover a novel sphingolipid-immune signaling axis that could be leveraged to develop new therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. 
  9. Franz A, Shay H, Kirpich I, McClain CJ. Nutrition and Liver Disease. Semin Liver Dis. 2025 Nov 28. doi: 10.1055/a-2725-5313. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41314408.
    Impact Statement: This review highlights the critical interplay between liver function and nutritional health, illustrating how malnutrition both contributes to and results from hepatic dysfunction. By outlining the clinical consequences and available treatment strategies, it underscores the importance of early nutritional assessment and intervention to improve outcomes in patients with liver disease. 
  10. Gopang M, Babalola T, Fruh V, Sears CG, Harrington J, Tellez-Plaza M, Webster TF, Tjonneland A, Mann KK, Wellenius GA, Claus Henn B, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Meliker JR. Urine arsenic and risk of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure - A prospective case-cohort study in Danish never smokers. Sci Total Environ. 2025 Dec 10;1007:180783. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180783. Epub 2025 Nov 17. PMID: 41252959.
    Impact Statement: This study found little evidence that low-level urinary arsenic is associated with incident stroke, acute myocardial infarction, or heart failure among never smokers in a large Danish cohort. These findings suggest that low-level arsenic may play a limited role in cardiovascular risk in this population, while highlighting the need for additional research on potential effects related to arsenic metabolism, particularly %MMA.
  11. Engelbrecht E, Rodriguez OL, Lees W, Vanwinkle Z, Shields K, Schultze S, Gibson WS, Smith DR, Jana U, Saha S, Peres A, Yaari G, Smith ML, Watson CT. Germline polymorphisms in the immunoglobulin kappa and lambda loci underpinning antibody light chain repertoire variability. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 28. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-66759-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41315391.
    Impact Statement: This study reveals that extensive genetic polymorphisms in immunoglobulin light chain loci shape the antibody repertoire, driving major inter-individual differences in antibody composition and function. These findings establish IG light chain variation as a key determinant of immune responsiveness, with broad implications for understanding variability in disease outcomes and therapeutic responses. 
  12. Wahlang B, Hua Y, Phillips GJ, Singh S, Bolatimi OE, Luulay B, Gripshover TC, Watson WH, Merchant ML, Kong M, Kim J, Klinge CM. Exposure to a persistent organic pollutant mixture resulted in sex-specific steatotic liver disease: Role of the liver-endocrine axis. Environ Pollut. 2026 Jan 1;388:127364. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127364. Epub 2025 Nov 12. PMID: 41237942; PMCID: PMC12640673.
    Impact Statement: This study demonstrates that persistent organic pollutants uniquely increase susceptibility to steatotic liver disease in females by disrupting estrogen-related signaling and activating xenobiotic response pathways. These findings highlight the critical need to consider biological sex when evaluating environmental chemical risks and mechanisms of liver disease. 
  13. Haller MJ, Kanapka L, Monzavi R, Mouse TJ, Prakasam G, Dewan AK, DiMeglio LA, Laffel LM, Willi SM, Tansey MJ, Nelson BA, Kashmiri H, Wood JR, Latif K, White P, Kipnes M, Rodriguez H, Smith J, Sparling DP, Malik FS, Cymbaluk A, Bhargava A, Ekhlaspour L, Beasley S, Cossen K, Wintergerst KA, Fiallo-Scharer R, Maahs DM, Bethin KE, Wood MA, Hanley PC, Mulukutla SN, Van Name M, Blackman SM, Gallagher MP, Clements MA, Sheanon N, Reddy K, Reiner BJ, Gal R, Beck RW; INHALE-1 Study Group. INHALE-1: A Multicenter Randomized Trial of Inhaled Technosphere Insulin in Children With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2025 Nov 12:dc251994. doi: 10.2337/dc25-1994. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41223151.
    Impact Statement: This study provides the first large-scale evidence that inhaled technosphere insulin is safe for pediatric diabetes management and offers advantages such as higher treatment satisfaction and less weight gain compared with rapid-acting injectable insulin. Although noninferiority for HbA1c was not achieved, the findings support TI as a viable alternative for select youth with type 1 diabetes. 
  14. Williams H, Andersen ZJ, Boogaard H, Brage S, Browning MHEM, Cai S, Chen X, deSouza P, Dzhambov AM, Fenech B, Flower G, Forastiere F, Garcia L, Gasparrini A, Gehring U, Gowers AM, Hoek G, Khomenko S, Lim CC, Lu C, Mitsakou C, Pozzer A, Ramani T, Roscoe C, Spadaro JV, Tatah L, Vienneau D, Woodcock J, Yeager R, Zapata-Diomedi B, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Khreis H. Expert perspectives on exposure-response functions for urban health policy: Lessons from a UBDPolicy workshop. Environ Res. 2026 Jan 1;288(Pt 1):123150. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123150. Epub 2025 Oct 21. PMID: 41130511.
    Impact Statement: This paper provides expert guidance on improving the development and application of epidemiologically derived exposure–response functions, a critical tool for assessing how urban and transport planning influence population health. By identifying pathway-specific and cross-cutting research needs, it outlines a forward-looking agenda to help policymakers design healthier, more sustainable cities.
  15. Zierold KM, Myers JV, Brock GN, Zhang CH, Sears L. Externalizing behaviors in children living near coal-fired power plants. BMC Public Health. 2025 Nov 7;25(1):3858. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24829-z. PMID: 41204137; PMCID: PMC12595744.
    Impact Statement: This study provides new evidence that household exposure to coal fly ash is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of externalizing behavioral problems in children living near coal-fired power plants. These findings highlight an important environmental health risk and underscore the need for more rigorous studies to guide protective policies for vulnerable communities. 
  16. Sumlut MH, Feng J, Zhang X, Dougherty S, Fernandez YI, Klinge CM, Clem BF. Targeting METTL3 Induces a Metabolic Vulnerability in ER+ Breast Carcinoma Cells. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2025 Nov 26:ERC-25-0174. doi: 10.1530/ERC-25-0174. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41293999.
    Impact Statement: This study reveals that inhibiting the m6A writer METTL3 drives distinct metabolic vulnerabilities in endocrine-resistant versus endocrine-sensitive ER+ breast cancer cells. These findings identify combinatorial targeting of METTL3 and glutamine metabolism as a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment-resistant disease.