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Importance Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of premature death worldwide. Assessing the LDL-C–related burden is critical for guiding prevention and treatment strategies. Objectives To estimate the global, regional, and national burden of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke attributable to elevated LDL-C (relative to 35-54 mg/dL) from 1990 to 2023 and to quantify the contributions of population growth, aging, risk-deleted burden, and exposure changes to burden trends. Design, Setting, and Population This comparative risk assessment, part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, estimated population-level LDL-C exposure and associated health loss in 204 countries and territories. Mean LDL-C levels were estimated using spatiotemporal gaussian process regression based on 806 studies across 161 countries. Relative risks were derived from meta-analyses of 38 randomized clinical trials. Population-attributable fractions for deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were estimated by age and sex for adults aged 25 years or older from 1990 to 2023, with 95% uncertainty intervals. Exposure Population-level LDL-C concentrations. Main Outcomes and Measures Population-attributable fractions, counts, and rates (all ages and age standardized per 100 000) of LDL-C–attributable deaths and DALYs from ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke, with uncertainty intervals. Results In 2023, elevated LDL-C accounted for 3.6 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval, 2.2-5.4 million; 6.0% of global mortality) and 90.7 million DALYs (95% uncertainty interval, 58.9-123.3 million; 3.2% of DALYs). Although global all-ages rates remained stable, age-standardized death and DALY rates decreased by 45.6% and 39.5%, respectively, since 1990. In 2023, age-standardized LDL-C–attributable DALY rates were highest in Eastern Europe and lowest in high-income Asia-Pacific. One-third of the global LDL-C burden occurred in India and China. Population growth and aging drove the increasing burden, with notable regional disparities in LDL-C exposure and risk-deleted DALY rates shifting toward middle-sociodemographic settings. Conclusions and Relevance Despite declining age-standardized rates, the absolute LDL-C burden has increased since 1990 due to demographic changes and has shifted toward middle-sociodemographic countries. Measurement and surveillance gaps persist. Strengthened prevention, diagnosis, and treatment access strategies are essential to mitigate the health burden of LDL-C.

Abstract Disclosure: C.A. Villavicencio Torres: None. S. Ahmadian: None. V.M. Fell: None. K. Moehnke: None. Y. Chai: None. R.L. Taylor: None. S.K. Grebe: None. A.D. Maus: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Current standard-of-care assessment of adrenal disorders relies on the venipuncture-based total cortisol measurements. Salivary cortisol (SalF) and cortisone (SalE) measurements have advantages such as a more accurate assessment of patients with cortisol-binging globulin abnormalities and the convenience of at-home non-invasive testing. Aims: This study aimed to compare concentrations of cortisol and dexamethasone between clinical (venipuncture-based) and saliva samples. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study (July 2024-January 2025) of adults undergoing overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) or cosyntropin stimulation test (CST). Saliva samples were collected alongside clinical samples. Saliva measurements included cortisol, cortisone, and dexamethasone (mass spectrometry), while clinical samples were tested for total cortisol (Roche immunoassay) and, in a subgroup, dexamethasone (mass spectrometry). Results: Of 241 patients (186 (77%) women, median age 53 years (IQR 39-66)), 178 (74%) provided samples as a part of DST and 63 (26%) as a part CST. An inability to provide sufficient saliva for analysis was found in 5 patients (2%). In patients undergoing DST, median post-dexamethasone serum total cortisol was 1.3 mcg/dL (IQR 0.8-2.2), and median serum dexamethasone (SerD) was 0.43 mcg/dL (IQR 0.3-0.6) based on clinical samples, while median SalF was 10.2 ng/dL (IQR 6.6-23.6), SalE was 78.6 ng/dL (IQR 52.8-131.1), and saliva dexamethasone (SalD) was 60 ng/dL (IQR 41-93). SalE (r=0.92, p<.0001) demonstrated a stronger correlation than SalF (r=0.85, p<.0001) when compared with post-dexamethasone serum total cortisol measurements. SalD (r=0.85, p<.0001) correlated with SerD measurements. In patients undergoing CST, median baseline serum total cortisol was 7.2 mcg/dL (IQR 4.6-10) based on clinical samples, while median baseline SalF was 86.6 ng/dL (IQR 38.3-166.3), and median SalE was 707 ng/dL (IQR 347-906). Median peak 60-minute serum total cortisol was 21.5 mcg/dL (IQR 18-24), while SalF was 870.4 ng/dL (IQR 440-2904) and SalE was 2501 ng/dL (IQR 1770-3193). Both baseline (r=0.92, p<.0001) and 60 min peak post-cosyntropin SalE (r=0.84, p<.0001) demonstrated a strong correlation with venipuncture-based measurements. SalF had a weaker than SalE correlation at both baseline (r=0.88, p<.0001) and 60 min peak post-cosyntropin (r=0.79, p<.0001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that salivary measurements of cortisone, cortisol and dexamethasone strongly correlate with standard-of-care venipuncture concentrations following DST and CST. SalE showed the stronger than SalF correlation with venipuncture-based serum total cortisol concentrations. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: S. Ahmadian: None. S.R. Chacko: None. S. Sharma Sharma: None. V.M. Fell: None. A. Peersen: None. E.J. Atkinson: None. K.L. Moehnke: None. Y. Chai: None. S.K. Grebe: None. A.D. Maus: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Cortisol secretion follows a circadian pattern with highest concentrations in the morning, and lowest at night. Loss of circadian cortisol variation has been reported in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS), however, is scarcely investigated in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). Outpatient assessment of late night and early morning salivary cortisol and cortisone may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with hypercortisolism. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of adults evaluated at our center between 04/2024 and 04/2025. The study included patients with Cushing’s syndrome (CS), mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), and referent subjects without known adrenal disorders. Participants were provided with two cotton swabs (Salivettes) and instructed to collect saliva samples at two standardized time points: at bedtime (PM) and on waking (AM). Each swab was kept in the mouth for 2-2.5 minutes. Saliva was analyzed for cortisol and cortisone using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Delta cortisol and delta cortisone were defined as the difference between AM and PM concentrations for each individual and were calculated for all participants. Results: A total of 82 patients (32 with ACTH-dependent CS, 5 with ACTH-independent CS, and 45 with MACS), median age of 55 years [IQR 44-65], 63 (77%) women, and 71 referent subjects, median age of 34 years [IQR 28-42], 54 (76%) women, were included. Delta cortisol was higher in referents (median of 212 ng/dL, [IQR 157-358]) vs patients with CS (median 95 ng/dL [IQR -21-184]) or MACS (median 131 ng/dL, [IQR 91-229]). Similarly, delta cortisone was also highest in referents with a median of 828 ng/dL [IQR 612-1131] versus median of 211 ng/dL [IQR -58-468] in CS and 484 ng/dL [IQR 189-849] in MACS. When compared to referents in an age- and sex-adjusted linear regression model, delta cortisone was lower in both patients with CS (est -1.3 (95%CI -1.75 to -0.85), P<0.001 and MACS (est -0.66, 95%CI of -1.17 to -0.16, P=0.010). Delta cortisol was lower in patients with CS (est -1.32, 95%CI -2.11 to -0.54, P=0.001), but not MACS (est -0.51, 95%CI -1.39 to 0.36). Conclusion: Patients with both CS and MACS demonstrate a blunted circadian salivary cortisol and cortisone secretion, as reflected by a lower delta cortisol and cortisone when compared to referent subjects. Assessment with delta salivary cortisone in patients with MACS may be more valuable than a standard of care late night salivary cortisol assessment. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: S. Ahmadian: None. C.A. Villavicencio Torres: None. V.M. Fell: None. K.L. Moehnke: None. Y. Chai: None. R.L. Taylor: None. S.K. Grebe: None. A.D. Maus: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Salivary cortisol (SalF), and cortisone (SalE) interpretation can be influenced by intra-individual variability arising from cortisol secretion cyclicity, assay performance, and sampling techniques. No studies to date have examined the impact of sampling on intra-individual variability. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of adults evaluated with total serum cortisol measurements as a part of the overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) or cosyntropin stimulation test (CST), November 2024- January 2025. Participants were provided with two cotton swabs (salivettes) and asked to collect two consecutive saliva samples immediately after the venipuncture for total cortisol. Each cotton swab was kept in the mouth for 2-2.5 minutes. Saliva was tested for SalF and SalE by mass spectrometry. Variability was examined based on cortisol tertiles. Results: A total of 78 paired saliva samples were obtained from 60 participants (45 [75%] women; median age 55 years [IQR 39-66]), who were undergoing either DST (42 [70%]) or CST (18 [30%]). A total of 10 (17%) saliva samples did not contain a sufficient sample for analysis during the first or second saliva collection (7 [12%] from DST group, and 3 [5%] from CST group).Among 53 patients undergoing DST, the median serum total cortisol was 1.3 mcg/dL [IQR 0.9-3], the median first SalF was 20 ng/dL [IQR 7-28], the median second SalF was 12 ng/dL [IQR 6-23], and the median variability was 11% [IQR 3-22%]. The median first SalE was 69 ng/dL [IQR 54-185], while the median second SalE was 63 ng/dL [IQR 56-178], with a median variability of 6% [IQR 4-10].In patients undergoing CST, peak median serum total cortisol was 20 mcg/dL [IQR 18-24], median first SalF was 809 ng/dL [IQR 536-1227], and median second SalF was 1063 ng/dL [IQR 667-1503], with the median variability of 14% [IQR 8-22]. The median first SalE was 2507 ng/dL [IQR1697-2966], while the median second SalE was 2485 ng/dL [IQR 1530-2976], with a median variability of 9% [IQR 3-12].When examining intra-individual variability of SalF, the variability was lowest in the middle tertile, corresponding to serum cortisol of 1.8-8.9 mcg/dL, at 9% [IQR 5-16]. Variability was higher in the lowest tertile (14% [IQR 0-52]) and the highest tertile (12% [IQR 6-16]). Overall, the variability of SalE was lower than that of SalF: 7% [IQR 4-13] in the lowest tertile, 5% [IQR 2-9] in the middle tertile, and 10% [IQR 4-12] in the highest tertile. Conclusion: We show that saliva sampling may impact the results, with 17% patients providing insufficient sample for analysis, and variability of 9-14% for SalF and 5-10% for SalE. Same time-point sampling-related variability should be considered in interpretation of SalF and SalE measurements. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is an established protective factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), but it is unclear if genetic variants modify this effect. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a genome-wide gene–PA interaction analysis. Methods Using logistic regression and two-step and joint tests, we analyzed interactions between common genetic variants across the genome and PA in relation to CRC risk. Self-reported PA levels were categorized as active (≥ 8.75 MET-h/wk) vs. inactive (< 8.75 MET-h/wk) and as study- and sex-specific quartiles of activity. Results PA had an overall protective effect on CRC (OR [active vs. inactive] = 0.85; 95%CI = 0.81–0.90). The two-step GxE method identified an interaction between rs4779584, an intergenic variant near the GREM1 and SCG5 genes, and PA for CRC risk (p-interaction = 2.6×10 − 8 ). Stratification by genotype at this locus showed a significant reduction in CRC risk by 20% in active vs. inactive participants with the CC genotype (OR = 0.80; 95%CI = 0.75–0.85), but no significant PA–CRC association among CT or TT carriers. When PA was modeled as quartiles, the 1-d.f. GxE test identified that rs56906466, an intergenic variant near the KCNG1 gene, modified the association between PA and CRC (p-interaction = 3.5×10 − 8 ). Stratification at this locus showed that increase in PA (highest vs. lowest quartile) was associated with a lower CRC risk solely among TT carriers (OR = 0.77; 95%CI = 0.72–0.82). Conclusions In summary, we identified two genetic variants that modified the association between PA and CRC risk. One of them, related to GREM1 and SCG5 , suggests that the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-related, inflammatory, and/or insulin signaling pathways may be associated with the protective influence of PA on colorectal carcinogenesis.

Abstract Disclosure: C.A. Villavicencio Torres: None. Y. Chai: None. S.K. Grebe: None. T.D. Maus: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is diagnosed based on abnormal post-dexamethasone cortisol &gt;1.8 mcg/dL. Late-night salivary cortisol (SalF) measurements in MACS are usually within normal ranges, and as such are not recommended by the adrenal incidentaloma guidelines. Late-night salivary cortisone (SalE) measurement may have a higher accuracy than SalF in diagnosing MACS. Objectives: To determine associations between SalF and SalE and post-dexamethasone cortisol concentrations in patients with MACS. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of data between 2020-2023 that included patients with MACS who had concomitant SalF and SalE measurements at the time of diagnosis. Electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical, imaging, biochemical characteristics, and outcome data. Results: In 45 patients with MACS (31, 69% women) evaluated at a median age of 62 years (IQR 54-70), median post-dexamethasone cortisol was 3 mcg/dL (IQR 2.5-5.7), median corticotropin (ACTH) was 11 pg/mL (IQR 5.2-30), and median dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) was 47.5 mcg/dL (IQR 27.8-98.8). In 36 patients, 24h-urine cortisol was also available, with a median cortisol of 14 mcg/dL (IQR 11.3-18), normal ranges &lt;45 mcg/24h. Median adrenal adenoma size was 2.2 cm (IQR 1.6-3.0), and median unenhanced HU was 10 (IQR -5 to 22).Median SalF was 52 ng/dL (IQR 23.9-97.5), and median SalE was 332 ng/dL (IQR 222.5-607.0), with a median SalE/SalF ratio of 6.6 (IQR 5.7-9.0). SalF was normal (&lt;50 ng/dL) in 22 (49%) patients with MACS, without differences in the post-dexamethasone cortisol concentrations between those with normal and abnormal SalF (median of 3 mcg/dL vs 3 mcg/dL, P=0.94). SalF correlated with SalE (R2=0.83, P&lt;0.0001). However, only SalE was associated with post-dexamethasone cortisol (R2=0.09, P=0.04). Conclusion: SalE is associated with post-dexamethasone cortisol in patients with MACS and, after an appropriate validation, may provide additional value in support of diagnosis of MACS. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Regular, long-term aspirin use may act synergistically with genetic variants, particularly those in mechanistically relevant pathways, to confer a protective effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We leveraged pooled data from 52 clinical trial, cohort, and case-control studies that included 30,806 CRC cases and 41,861 controls of European ancestry to conduct a genome-wide interaction scan between regular aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and imputed genetic variants. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, we identified statistically significant interactions between regular aspirin/NSAID use and variants in 6q24.1 (top hit rs72833769 ), which has evidence of influencing expression of TBC1D7 (a subunit of the TSC1-TSC2 complex, a key regulator of MTOR activity), and variants in 5p13.1 (top hit rs350047 ), which is associated with expression of PTGER4 (codes a cell surface receptor directly involved in the mode of action of aspirin). Genetic variants with functional impact may modulate the chemopreventive effect of regular aspirin use, and our study identifies putative previously unidentified targets for additional mechanistic interrogation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in (patho)physiological processes by mediating cell communication. Although EVs contain glycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), these biomolecules have been overlooked due to technical challenges in comprehensive glycome analysis coupled with EV isolation. Conventional mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods are restricted to the assessment of N-linked glycans. Therefore, methods to comprehensively analyze all glyco-polymer classes on EVs are urgently needed. In this study, tangential flow filtration-based EV isolation was coupled with glycan node analysis (GNA) as an innovative and robust approach to characterize most major glyco-polymer features of EVs. GNA is a molecularly bottom-up gas chromatography-MS technique that provides unique information that is unobtainable with conventional methods. The results indicate that GNA can identify EV-associated glyco-polymers that would remain undetected with conventional MS methods. Specifically, predictions based on GNA identified a GAG (hyaluronan) with varying abundance on EVs from two different melanoma cell lines. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and enzymatic stripping protocols confirmed the differential abundance of EV-associated hyaluronan. These results lay the framework to explore GNA as a tool to assess major glycan classes on EVs, unveiling the EV glycocode and its biological functions.

Cross-talk between Rho- and Arf-family guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) plays an important role in linking the actin cytoskeleton to membrane protrusions, organelle morphology, and vesicle trafficking. The central actin regulator, WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), integrates Rac1 (a Rho-family GTPase) and Arf signaling to promote Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization in many processes, but how WRC senses Arf signaling is unknown. Here, we have reconstituted a direct interaction between Arf and WRC. This interaction is greatly enhanced by Rac1 binding to the D site of WRC. Arf1 binds to a previously unidentified, conserved surface on the Sra1 subunit of WRC, which, in turn, drives WRC activation using a mechanism distinct from that of Rac1. Mutating the Arf binding site abolishes Arf1-WRC interaction, disrupts Arf1-mediated WRC activation, and impairs lamellipodia formation and cell migration. This work uncovers a new mechanism underlying WRC activation and provides a mechanistic foundation for studying how WRC-mediated actin polymerization links Arf and Rac signaling in cells.

AbstractWith an exponential increase in extracellular vesicle (EV) studies in the past decade, focus has been placed on standardization of experimental design to ensure inter‐study comparisons and validity of conclusions. In the case of in vitro assays, the composition of cell culture media is important to consider for EV studies. In particular, levels of lipoproteins, which are critical components of the interstitial fluid, should be taken into consideration. Results from this study reveal that lipoprotein levels in cell culture medium impact the effects that EVs have on recipient cells. Additionally, evidence of EV binding and fusion to lipoprotein‐like structures in plasma is provided. However, it is unclear whether the impact of lipoproteins in cell culture is due to direct interactions with EVs, indirect effects, or a combination of both mechanisms. Taken together, cell culture studies performed in the absence of physiological levels of lipoproteins are unlikely to reflect interactions that occur between EVs and recipient cells in an in vivo environment.