Obesity is a global public health concern characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) contains bioactive compounds that have demonstrated potential anti-obesity and immunomodulatory effects. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence regarding the immunometabolic effects of ginger supplementation in obesity, integrating findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Evidence indicates that ginger and its principal compounds, such as 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, inhibit adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the chemoattractant protein of monocytes-1 (MCP-1), improve lipid profiles, and enhance anti-inflammatory adipokines like adiponectin. Clinical trials report improvements in insulin sensitivity, reductions in inflammatory markers, and body weight management in individuals with obesity. This review paper also highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunometabolic effects of ginger and its bioactive compounds. Therefore, ginger supplementation exhibits promising immunometabolic effects with the potential to support the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. However, further rigorous clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety as well as its role in complementing existing strategies for obesity management.
Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) is an important innovation approach in forensics sciences, especially when traditional DNA profiling results are limited, mostly due to the absence of reference samples. FDP is based on the detection of genetic variants in specific genes whose function is related to pigmentation mechanisms and uses the genotypes found in the sample to determine the externally visible traits (EVT) such as the iris, hair, and skin tone or color of the individual; this prediction would help and expedite human identification processes and solve criminal cases. Several technologies have been developed to facilitate EVT prediction; however, most of them have been validated only in European populations. Implementing techniques for FDP in Latin American countries is essential given the problems of disappearance and human identification that have persisted for years. Nonetheless, scientists have a great challenge due to the admixed genetic structure of the population. This review explores the current application of FDP, emphasizing its significance, practical uses, and limitations within Latin American populations.