The prevalence of Type II Diabetes (T2D) has been increasing and has become a disease of significant public health burden in Jordan. None of the previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have specifically investigated the Middle East populations. The Circassian and Chechen communities in Jordan represent unique populations that are genetically distinct from the Arab population and other populations in the Caucasus. Prevalence of T2D is very high in both the Circassian and Chechen communities in Jordan despite low obesity prevalence. We conducted GWAS on T2D in these two populations and further performed meta-analysis of the results. We identified a novel T2D locus at chr20p12.2 at genome-wide significance (rs6134031, P = 1.12 × 10−8) and we replicated the results in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) dataset. Another locus at chr12q24.31 is associated with T2D at suggestive significance level (top SNP rs4758690, P = 4.20 × 10−5) and it is a robust eQTL for the gene, MLXIP (P = 1.10 × 10−14), and is significantly associated with methylation level in MLXIP, the functions of which involves cellular glucose response. Therefore, in this first GWAS of T2D in Jordan subpopulations, we identified novel and unique susceptibility loci which may help inform the genetic underpinnings of T2D in other populations.

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Docetaxel is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in a variety of cancer treatment regimens. We present a case of apparent docetaxel-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in a patient recently treated for metastatic prostate cancer. This medication is not classically associated with the development of SJS but in our case, along with a number of other case reports, and a single phase II clinical trial, an association was recognized. We encourage clinicians who employ the use of this medication to be aware of this relationship.

Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial variant is a rare diagnosis. Several clinical features are considered to be diagnostic, although ongoing work related to laboratory work-up and conduction studies are being evaluated as possible adjuncts to support in the diagnosis of this demyelinating disorder. It has been reportedly associated with many infections, bacterial or viral, but there has never been a reported association of this neurologic disorder with an Influenza B infection. We present the first case of Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial variant in an adult male who tested positive for Influenza B virus. We also provided a review of the literature, and highlighted the key features in the diagnosis of this interesting condition. Given this new association, a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial variant is indicated for patients presenting with an Influenza B infection.