Placenta and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are implicated in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In the present study, we examined the whole-transcriptomic profile of both tissues in GDM women to elucidate the molecular basis of GDM pathogenesis. The whole-transcriptome profile was analyzed in placenta and VAT from at-term patients with GDM and controls using RNA-seq. qPCR was used to validate several differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 179 DEGs were observed in the placenta and 4 in VAT, including both up- and downregulated genes. The expression of the selected mRNAs for validation was consistent with the sequencing results. An analysis of the placental upregulated DEGs in the GDM women showed enrichment in functions including the G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, organophosphate biosynthetic process, and phospholipid metabolic process, while the downregulated DEGs were enriched in cell motility and the cell migration process. The target pathways of DEGs in VAT are related to cancer and to the activation of the complement cascade. Molecular pathways involved in G-protein-coupled receptor signaling, the organophosphate biosynthetic process, the phospholipid metabolic process, and cell motility and cell migration are altered in the placentas of GDM women. Moreover, a disordered complement cascade might take place in the VAT of GDM women.

Background/Objectives: Insufficient dietary fiber intake contributes to gut microbiota dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, and the onset of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Agro-industrial by-products have emerged as sustainable sources to restore microbial and metabolic balance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mango bagasse- and peel-based confectionery (MC) on gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and hepatic gene expression in Wistar rats fed either a standard diet (STD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to four groups (STD, MC-STD, HFD, MC-HFD) and treated for 11 weeks. Eating behavior, body composition, microbiota composition, SCFAs, and hepatic transcriptomics were evaluated. Results: MC supplementation did not significantly alter weight gain or SCFA levels but shifted clustering patterns in principal component analysis, indicating a distinct dietary response. Microbiota analysis revealed a trend toward lower relative abundances of obesogenic species such as Phascolarctobacterium faecium and Ruminococcus torques, while Intestimonas butyriciproducens and Anaerostipes hadrus were modulated according to diet type. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated consistent downregulation of lipid metabolism–related genes (Cyp4a14, Hmgcs1, Cyp51, Fads1), linked to PPAR signaling pathways. Conclusions: MC supplementation may beneficially modulate the gut–liver axis and highlights the nutritional potential of fruit by-products as functional ingredients to promote metabolic health under high-fat dietary conditions.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in industrial and biomedical applications due to their antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their cellular effects remain incompletely understood, limiting their safe implementation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables high-throughput transcriptomic profiling, providing valuable insights into the cellular responses triggered by nanoparticle exposure. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic and transcriptomic effects of two polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized AgNP formulations (AgNP1 and AgNP2) in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) and breast cancer cells (MCF7) across a range of concentrations (5–200 µg/mL). Cell viability assays indicated differential bioactivity to AgNP exposure depending on cell type and nanoparticle formulation. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that both AgNP formulations disrupted cellular homeostasis through the dysregulation of pathways associated with protein folding, cytoskeletal organization, and endoplasmic reticulum function. Stress-related genes such as HSPA1A, HSPA1B, and HMOX1 were significantly upregulated following treatment. Overall, AgNP exposure induced cell type–dependent transcriptional responses, characterized by proteostasis-related stress pathways in HDFa cells and enhanced RNA processing and gene expression regulation in MCF7 cells. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis further highlighted alterations in biological processes related to protein refolding and cellular stress responses, as well as molecular functions associated with ATP-dependent protein-folding chaperones. Functional assays did not reveal significant increases in intracellular ROS levels or detectable apoptotic or necrotic cell death. Instead, the transcriptomic profiles suggest that AgNP exposure predominantly activates cellular stress responses associated with proteostasis and protein quality control. These findings provide new insights into the complex cellular responses triggered by PVP-stabilized AgNP formulations and highlight the importance of nanoparticle physicochemical properties and cell-type–dependent responses in determining biological outcomes. The results highlight the value of transcriptomic approaches to uncover early mechanistic responses to nanomaterials beyond conventional cytotoxicity endpoints.

Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) promotes adverse physiological and molecular changes in the placenta. In the present study, we examined the whole placental transcriptomic profile in women with EGWG to elucidate the molecular basis of EGWG pathogenesis. Whole transcriptome profile was analyzed in placentas from term patients with EGWG compared to controls using RNA-seq. Eight genes were found to be downregulated, and 318 genes were found to be upregulated in the placentas of the EGWG group in comparison with those of the women with adequate gestational weight gain (AGWG). Analysis of differentially expressed genes showed eight biological processes, nine cellular components, and ten molecular functions activated, and ten biological processes, ten cellular components, and ten molecular functions suppressed in the placentas from women with EGWG compared to AGWG. EGWG is characterized by significant alterations in placental gene expression, impacting various biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions, including activation of chromatin organization and remodeling, nucleoplasm, and histone-modifying activity, and suppression of response to stimulus, organelle, and protein binding.

For the first time, the complete genome assembly of the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), a tropical cosmopolitan species with commercial fishing importance was sequenced. Using a combination of Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies, a draft genome of 497.8 Mb was assembled into 6,044 contigs, with an N50 of 200.9 kb and a BUSCO genome completeness score of 89%. This high-quality genome assembly provides a valuable resource to study adaptive evolutionary processes and supports conservation and management strategies for this ecologically and economically significant species.