Journal of Genome Biotechnology and Genetics

Acinetobacter baumannii is a major nosocomial pathogen characterized by multidrug resistance and persistence in hospital environments. This study evaluated antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm-forming capacity in ten clinical A. baumannii isolates obtained from a tertiary care hospital in Northwestern Mexico to explore phenotypic traits associated with persistence. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were determined using broth microdilution according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. All isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, whereas variable resistance was observed for tobramycin (60%) and ceftazidime (20%); all strains remained susceptible to colistin. Bactericidal assays revealed heterogeneous responses across antibiotics. Biofilm formation, assessed by crystal violet staining, showed that most isolates produced weak to moderate biofilms, while three strains were non-producers. Significant variability in biofilm biomass was observed (p < 0.001). Notably, no direct association was found between antimicrobial resistance profiles and biofilm-forming capacity, indicating phenotypic heterogeneity among isolates. These findings suggest that persistence-related traits in A. baumannii may not be solely predicted by resistance patterns, highlighting the complexity of adaptive responses under antimicrobial stress.

Human pigmentation is a quantitative, tissue-specific, and temporally variable phenotype shaped by melanocyte biology, melanosome physiology, regulatory variation, environmental exposure, and population history. This narrative review examines how functional and population-based evidence supports—or limits—the translation of pigmentation genetics into forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) and health-related applications. A structured search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted through July 2026, prioritizing primary functional studies, independent validations, meta-analyses, and consensus documents. Current evidence supports polygenic and regulatory control of skin, hair, and iris pigmentation, but heterogeneous phenotype definitions, population composition, age, and environmental modulation constrain direct genotype-to-appearance inference. IrisPlex, HIrisPlex, and HIrisPlex-S provide validated probabilistic predictions for selected pigmentation categories; performance is less consistent for intermediate phenotypes, admixed populations, partial profiles, and settings lacking appropriate calibration. Associations with ultraviolet damage and cutaneous cancer are substantial but differ by cancer type, whereas evidence concerning vitamin D, melanin–drug interactions, and broader precision-medicine applications remains context-dependent or preliminary. Progress will require standardized phenotyping, globally representative datasets, transparent uncertainty reporting, and independent forensic and clinical validation.

Agave angustifolia Haw. is one of the primary sources for the production of mezcals such as raicilla and tuxca, in western Mexico. In Jalisco, Agave angustifolia evolved from being a pre-Hispanic ritual and food resource (200–1500 CE) to becoming the primary basis for 16th-century vino mezcal, the precursor to all modern mezcals, including raicilla and tequila. This review synthesizes current genomic, epigenetic, and metabolic evidence to elucidate the species’ evolutionary and adaptive potential. Our analysis suggests that the domestication of A. angustifolia is characterized by a “domestication paradox,” where intensive clonal management ensures short-term productivity but creates genetic bottlenecks that limit long-term adaptive capacity. We synthesize empirical evidence to show that adaptive plasticity is driven by the integration of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) flexibility and dynamic global DNA methylation (GDM) profiles, which, while currently correlative, suggest an environmental response mechanism. We conclude that securing the socio-economic viability of Agave spirits requires a transition from intensive monocultures to regenerative agroforestry, incorporating sexual propagation to maintain evolutionary potential. Furthermore, we outline a roadmap for Genomics-Assisted Breeding (GAB 4.0), integrating marker-assisted selection for juvenile traits to accelerate the release of resilient biotypes, and precision diagnostic tools to reduce the ecological footprint of Agave production. This framework secures the genomic integrity of traditional spirits within a circular, climate-resilient bioeconomy.