Roads represent a threat to biodiversity, primarily through increased mortality from collisions with vehicles. Although estimating roadkill rates is an important first step, how roads affect long-term population persistence must also be assessed. We developed a trait-based model to predict roadkill rates for terrestrial bird and mammalian species in Europe and used a generalized population model to estimate their long-term vulnerability to road mortality. We found that ~194 million birds and ~29 million mammals may be killed each year on European roads. The species that were predicted to experience the highest mortality rates due to roads were not necessarily the same as those whose long-term persistence was most vulnerable to road mortality. When evaluating which species or areas could be most affected by road development projects, failure to consider how roadkill affects populations may result in misidentifying appropriate targets for mitigation.

Aim:The road network is increasing globally but the consequences of roadkill on the viability of wildlife populations are largely unknown. We provide a framework that allows us to estimate how risk of extinction of local populations increases due to roadkill and to generate a global assessment that identifies which mammalian species are most vulnerable to roadkill and the areas where they occur.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with gene mutations leading to dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells. Thirteen identified MODY variants differ from each other by the clinical course and treatment requirement. Currently, MODY subtypes 1–5 are best-studied, descriptions of the other forms are sporadic. This article reports a MODY12 clinical case, caused by a mutation in the gene of the ATP-binding cassette transporter sub-family C member 8 (ABCC8), encoding sulfonylurea receptor 1. Diabetes manifested in a 27-year-old non-obese man with epilepsy in anamnesis. No evidence of ketosis was present, pancreatic antibodies were undetectable, and C-peptide remained within the reference range. During the initial investigation, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and elevated albumin excretion rate was revealed. After 4 months, diabetes was complicated by pre-proliferative retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Recurrent hypoglycemia and an increase in body weight was observed on moderate and even small insulin doses. Taking into account the clinical features and the presence of diabetes in four generations on the maternal side, screening for all MODY subtypes was performed. A mutation in the ABCC8 gene was found in proband and in his mother. After the insulin discontinuation, gliclazide modified release combined with sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors was started. This treatment eliminated hypoglycemia and improved glycemic variability parameters. A decrease in the amplitude of glucose excursions was documented by continuous glucose monitoring. After 3 months of treatment, glycemic control was still optimal, and no hypoglycemic episodes were observed. The case report demonstrates the clinical features of ABCC8-associated MODY and the therapeutic potential of a combination of sulfonylurea with SGLT2 inhibitor in this disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-016-0192-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) and, especially, carotid artery stenosis (CAS), are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors and biomarkers of subclinical CA and CAS in T2D individuals. High-resolution ultrasonography of carotid arteries was performed in 389 patients. Ninety-five clinical parameters were evaluated, including diabetic complications and comorbidities; antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive therapy; indices of glycemic control and glucose variability (GV); lipid panels; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); albuminuria; blood cell count; and coagulation. Additionally, serum levels of calponin-1, relaxin, L-citrulline, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 (MMP-2, -3) were measured by ELISA. In univariate analysis, older age, male sex, diabetes duration, GV, diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and MMP-3 were associated with subclinical CA. In addition to these factors, long-term arterial hypertension, high daily insulin doses, eGFR, and L-citrulline were associated with CAS. In multivariate logistic regression, age, male sex, BMI, GV, and eGFR predicted CA independently; male sex, BMI, diabetes duration, eGFR, and L-citrulline were predictors of CAS. These results can be used to develop screening and prevention programs for CA and CAS in T2D subjects.