Sesquiterpene Lactones Isolated from Centaurea cineraria L. subsp. cineraria Inhibit the Radicle Growth of Broomrape Weeds.

The plant Centaurea cineraria L. subsp. cineraria has been investigated as a potential source of inhibitors of broomrape radicle growth. The latter are weeds that pose a threat to agriculture and for which there are few methods available for the control of infestations. Four sesquiterpene lactones have been isolated from C. cineraria L. subsp. cineraria aerial parts and identified as isocnicin, cnicin, salonitenolide, and 11ß,13-dihydrosalonitenolide using spectroscopic, spectrometric, and optical methods. Salonitenolide and 11ß,13-dihydrosalonitenolide have been isolated for the first time from this plant. Tested at 1.0-0.1 mM against the broomrape species Phelipanche ramosa, Orobanche minor, Orobanche crenata, and Orobanche cumana, isocnicin, cnicin, and salonitenolide demonstrated remarkable inhibitory activity (over 80% in most of the cases) at the highest concentrations. Structure-activity relationship conclusions indicated the significance of the α,ß-unsaturated lactone ring. In addition, the synthetic acetylated derivative of salonitenolide showed the strongest activity among all compounds tested, with inhibitions close to 100% at different concentrations, which has been related to a different lipophilicity and the absence of H-bond donor atoms in its structure. Neither the extracts nor the compounds exhibited the stimulating activity of broomrape germination (induction of suicidal germination). These findings highlight the potential of C. cineraria to produce bioactive compounds for managing parasitic weeds and prompt further studies on its sesquiterpene lactones as tools in developing natural product-based herbicides.

Screening of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Nigrospora sphaerica Associated with the Invasive Weed Cenchrus ciliaris Reveals Two New Structurally Related Compounds.

In the search for new alternative biocontrol strategies, phytopathogenic fungi could represent a new frontier for weed management. In this respect, as part of our ongoing work aiming at using fungal pathogens as an alternative to common herbicides, the foliar pathogen Nigrospora sphaerica has been evaluated to control buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). In particular, in this work, the isolation and structural elucidation of two new biosynthetically related metabolites, named nigrosphaeritriol (3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpentane-1,4-diol) and nigrosphaerilactol (3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyltetrahydrofuran-2-ol), from the phytotoxic culture filtrate extract were described, along with the identification of several known metabolites. Moreover, the absolute stereochemistry of (3R,4S,5S)-nigrosphaerilactone, previously reported as (3S,4R,5R)-4-hydroxymethyl-3,5-dimethyldihydro-2-furanone, was determined for the first time by X-ray diffraction analysis. Considering their structural relationship, the determination of the absolute stereochemistry of nigrosphaerilactone allowed us to hypothesize the absolute stereochemistry of nigrosphaeritriol and nigrosphaerilactol.

Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites in Diplodia corticola Strains with Different Virulence Degrees Associated with Canker and Dieback of Quercus spp.

Diplodia corticola is one of the most aggressive fungal pathogens of Quercus species involved in the decline of Mediterranean oak forests. In this study, three strains of D. corticola associated with holm (Quercus ilex) and cork (Quercus suber) oak trees exhibiting dieback symptoms and cankers in Algeria were selected to investigate the production of secondary metabolites. Metabolomic analyses revealed the production of several known compounds, such as sphaeropsidins, diplopyrones and diplofuranones. Moreover, the comparative investigation of secondary metabolites produced by the analyzed strains with different degrees of virulence revealed possible implications of these compounds in the fungal virulence. In particular, sphaeropsidins seem to be the main phytotoxic compounds of D. corticola involved in the infections of Quercus species, with a possible synergistic influence of the less representative compounds in the fungal virulence.

Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Intima Media Thickness in Antiretroviral-Experienced HIV-Infected Patients Treated with Protease Inhibitor-Based Regimens versus Protease Inhibitor-Sparing Regimens.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy has increasingly improved management of HIV infection, ensuring long-term efficacy and tolerability. Each class of antiretrovirals has, however, different characteristics and different tolerability profiles. The literature data show that protease inhibitors (PIs) are associated with a higher incidence of dyslipidemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients treated with PIs have both greater dyslipidemia and increased intima media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaques compared to patients treated without PIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 110 HIV-experienced patients screened with Doppler ultrasonography of the supra-aortic trunks in December 2019 were enrolled in a retrospective cross-sectional observational study. Patients were divided into two groups: 59 in the PI-based group, treated with PIs, and 51 in the PI-sparing group. In the two groups, we evaluated lipids, cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, BMI, age, hypertension), increased pathological IMT (a value > 1 mm), and possible atheromatous plaque. RESULTS: Serum LDL (p 0.04) and percentage of patients with hypercholesterolemia (p 0.03) were higher in the PI-based than in the PI-sparing group. Doppler data showed a trend in increase of IMT > 1 in the PI-based group, which appeared statistically significant for the section of the left common carotid artery (p 0.03). However, in multivariate logistic regression models, none of the evaluated variables were significantly associated with IMT > 1. CONCLUSIONS: Our real-life data show that patients treated with PIs have a trend of developing both greater dyslipidemia and increased pathological IMT and atheromatous plaques These findings may be useful to optimize antiretrovirals for patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

First report of 6-methylpyridione analogues from Dothiorella sarmentorum, a botryosphaeriaceous fungus associated with grapevine trunk diseases.

Dothiorella species are fungal plant pathogens associated with Botryosphaeria dieback of grapevine. Symptoms caused by these fungi on grapevines suggest possible implication of phytotoxic metabolites in the infection mechanisms. However, few studies were conducted to investigate the secondary metabolism of these fungi. In this study, 6-methylpyridione analogues were isolated and identified for the first time in liquid cultures of Dothiorella sarmentorum isolated from symptomatic grapevine in Algeria.

Alternaria alternata Isolated from Infected Pears (Pyrus communis) in Italy Produces Non-Host Toxins and Hydrolytic Enzymes as Infection Mechanisms and Exhibits Competitive Exclusion against Botrytis cinerea in Co-Infected Host Fruits.

Alternaria alternata is one of the most devastating phytopathogenic fungi. This microorganism causes black spots in many fruits and vegetables worldwide, generating significant post-harvest losses. In this study, an A. alternata strain, isolated from infected pears (Pyrus communis) harvested in Italy, was characterized by focusing on its pathogenicity mechanisms and competitive exclusion in the presence of another pathogen, Botrytis cinerea. In in vitro assays, the fungus produces strong enzymatic activities such as amylase, xylanase, and cellulase, potentially involved during the infection. Moreover, it secretes four different toxins purified and identified as altertoxin I, alteichin, alternariol, and alternariol 4-methyl ether. Only alteichin generated necrotic lesions on host-variety pears, while all the compounds showed moderate to slight necrotic activity on non-host pears and other non-host fruit (lemon, Citrus limon), indicating they are non-host toxins. Interestingly, A. alternata has shown competitive exclusion to the competitor fungus Botrytis cinerea when co-inoculated in host and non-host pear fruits, inhibiting its growth by 70 and 65%, respectively, a result not observed in a preliminary characterization in a dual culture assay. Alteichin and alternariol 4-methyl ether tested against B. cinerea had the best inhibition activity, suggesting that the synergism of these toxins and enzymatic activities of A. alternata are probably involved in the competitive exclusion dynamics in host and non-host pear fruits.

Oxidative Stress, Mutations and Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by In Vitro and In Vivo Exposure to Furan.

Furan is a volatile compound that is formed in foods during thermal processing. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by international authorities based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. Although a vast number of studies both in vitro and in vivo have been performed to investigate furan genotoxicity, the results are inconsistent, and its carcinogenic mode of action remains to be clarified. Here, we address the mutagenic and clastogenic activity of furan and its prime reactive metabolite cis-2 butene-1,4-dial (BDA) in mammalian cells in culture and in mouse animal models in a search for DNA lesions responsible of these effects. To this aim, Fanconi anemia-derived human cell lines defective in the repair of DNA inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs) and Ogg1-/- mice defective in the removal of 8-hydroxyguanine from DNA, were used. We show that both furan and BDA present a weak (if any) mutagenic activity but are clear inducers of clastogenic damage. ICLs are strongly indicated as key lesions for chromosomal damage whereas oxidized base lesions are unlikely to play a critical role.

Ricoeur's hermeneutic arc and the "narrative turn" in the ethics of care.

"Patient-centred care" is the recent response to the malaise produced in the field of health care from the point of view both of a technical mentality and the paternalistic model. The interest in the story-telling approach shown by both the humanities and the social sciences has favoured a "narrative turn" in medicine too, where the new ethics of therapeutic relationship consider the hermeneutic method a means by which to integrate evidence and subjectivity, scientific data and patient experience. The aim of this paper is to show how Ricoeur's theory of "threefold mimesis" makes a conceptual contribution to the use of narrative interviews in nursing and also be successfully transferred into and applied in the field of healthcare in general. First, the paper examines how this narrative approach might open up new possibilities for the acquisition of in-depth knowledge of patients' life experiences, a condition indispensable for the improvement of the quality of care. Secondly, it highlights how this Ricoeurian method seems capable of provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to review their own understanding of the caregiver-patient therapeutic relationship, beginning with their confrontation with the patient's world as revealed by the narrative they provide.

Robotic Therapy: Cost, Accuracy, and Times. New Challenges in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background: The medication process in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), can be challenging in terms of costs, time, and the risk of errors. Newborns, especially if born preterm, are more vulnerable to medication errors than adults. Recently, robotic medication compounding has reportedly improved the safety and efficiency of the therapeutic process. In this study, we analyze the advantages of using the I.V. Station® system in our NICU, compared to the manual preparation of injectable drugs in terms of accuracy, cost, and time. Method: An in vitro experimental controlled study was conducted to analyze 10 injectable powdered or liquid drugs. Accuracy was calculated within a 5% difference of the bottle weight during different stages of preparation (reconstitution, dilution, and final product). The overall cost of manual and automated preparations were calculated and compared. Descriptive statistics for each step of the process are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (range). Results: The median error observed during reconstitution, dilution, and final therapy of the drugs prepared by the I.V. Station® ranged within ±5% accuracy, with narrower ranges of error compared to those prepared manually. With increasing preparations, the I.V. Station® consumed less materials, reduced costs, decreased preparation time, and optimized the medication process, unlike the manual method. In the 10 drugs analyzed, the time saved from using the I.V. Station® ranged from 16 s for acyclovir to 2 h 57 min for teicoplanin, and cost savings varied from 8% for ampicillin to 66% for teicoplanin. These advantages are also capable of continually improving as the total amount of final product increases. Conclusions: The I.V. Station® improved the therapeutic process in our NICU. The benefits included increased precision in drug preparation, improved safety, lowered cost, and saved time. These advantages are particularly important in areas such as the NICU, where the I.V. Station® could improve the delivery of the high complexity of care and a large amount of intravenous therapy typically required. In addition, these benefits may lead to the reduction in medication errors and improve patient and family care; however, additional studies will be required to confirm this hypothesis.

Edo, ergo sum: anthropological, ethical and educational considerations about eating

We argue that, given that the act of eating is rational and relational, it should also be an educational issue dealing with society and environment, politics and health, tastes and trends, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors. This hypothesis arises from a particular theory of the human act and an anthropological approach based on the philosophical speculations of MacIntyre and Aristotle. We argue that eating choices are "hybrids of freedom," rationality, and unconscious and environmental elements. Finally, we suggest that people have to change their habits in order to transform the human way of acting, since every human act can change the human essence and vice versa.

Sostenemos que, siendo el acto de comer racional y relacional, también debe ser un tema educativo que tiene que ver con la sociedad y el ambiente, la política y la salud, los gustos y las tendencias, así como los factores genéticos y epigenéticos. Esta hipótesis tiene que ver con una cierta teoría del acto humano y una antropología basada en las especulaciones filosóficas de MacIntyre y Aristóteles. En este sentido, argumentamos que las opciones alimenticias son un "híbrido de libertad", racionalidad, y elementos inconscientes y ambientales, y se relacionan con las dimensiones espirituales y biológicas de los seres humanos. Finalmente, sugerimos que debemos cambiar los hábitos humanos para transformar la forma humana de actuar, ya que cada acto humano puede cambiar la esencia humana y viceversa.

Sostenemos que, siendo el acto de comer racional y relacional, también debe ser un tema educativo que tiene que ver con la sociedad y el ambiente, la política y la salud, los gustos y las tendencias, así como los factores genéticos y epigenéticos. Esta hipótesis tiene que ver con una cierta teoría del acto humano y una antropología basada en las especulaciones filosóficas de MacIntyre y Aristóteles. En este sentido, argumentamos que las opciones alimenticias son un "híbrido de libertad", racionalidad, y elementos inconscientes y ambientales, y se relacionan con las dimensiones espirituales y biológicas de los seres humanos. Finalmente, sugerimos que debemos cambiar los hábitos humanos para transformar la forma humana de actuar, ya que cada acto humano puede cambiar la esencia humana y viceversa.

A hermeneutic phenomenological explorations of living in old age.

Although there have been some studies that explore the meaning of aging and give voice to older people, the impact that the aging experience can have on them justifies continued research in this area. In this study, with a hermeneutic phenomenological design and an interpretation method inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur, we conducted in-depth interviews with 14 elderly people at a social day center in Rome (Italy). The analysis revealed three central themes associated with the experience of being old: changes and limitations related with being aged, the experience that comes from having lived a long life, and an awareness of death. The findings could help health professionals, families and caregivers to achieve a deeper understanding of what old age entails, and may also serve as a platform for interventions that seek to enable older people to experience aging as a meaningful and positive process.

Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multi-residual analysis of contaminants in Italian honey samples.

Contaminants belonging to various classes, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs), fungicides (Fs), herbicides (Hs), synergists (SYNs) and insect growth regulators (IGRs) were analysed simultaneously in honey samples using a new simultaneous, easy and rapid method based on a liquid-liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate. It allowed recoveries in the range 80-137%, with limits of detection (LODs) between 0.10 and 5.21 ng g-1, showing a good sensitivity and accuracy. All the analysed Italian honeys showed the presence of residues of OPPs; PAHs were in 46.8% of the samples and PCBs were always below the LODs; 53.2% of the samples were contaminated by OCPs, PYRs, SYNs and IGRs. In addition, 46.8% of the samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Community in honey for chlorfenvinphos (cis + trans), TPP, γ-HCH, tebuconazole, coumaphos and τ-fluvalinate (cis + trans).

The Dialogue Between Medical Doctors and Bioethicists: Rethinking Experience to Improve Medical Education.

More and more seems to be necessary to find new ways of communication between medical doctors and bioethicists in order to build a shared vocabulary and to prevent conflicts: many bioethical problems seem to be caused by the lack of dialogue between them, which both seem to speak two different languages. Improving this dialogue means searching new languages and innovative forms of communication: the narration could be a really effective tool to enhance the physicians' and bioethicist's moral conscience, since it facilitates reasoning on someone's particular experience, and, ultimately, on our experience. Starting from the results of a questionnaire administered to a group of students of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University Campus Bio-Medico we present a theoretical discussion about the need for more dialogue and for a shared vocabulary in medical experiences. In this regard, we suggest as a possible solution to the conflicts among medical doctors and bioethicists, an educational strategy, i.e., humanities courses for medical students, which may help them to deeply describe their practical present (and future) experience.

The dialogue between medical doctors and bioethicists: rethinking experience to improve medical education / El diálogo entre los médicos y los bioeticistas: repensar la experiencia para mejorar la educación médica

More and more seems to be necessary to find new ways of communication between medical doctors and bioethicists in order to build a shared vocabulary and to prevent conflicts: many bioethical problems seem to be caused by the lack of dialogue between them, which both seem to speak two different languages. Improving this dialogue means searching new languages and innovative forms of communication: the narration could be a really effective tool to enhance the physicians’ and bioethicist’s moral conscience, since it facilitates reasoning on someone’s particular experience, and, ultimately, on our experience. Starting from the results of a questionnaire administered to a group of students of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University Campus Bio-Medico we present a theoretical discussion about the need for more dialogue and for a shared vocabulary in medical experiences. In this regard, we suggest as a possible solution to the conflicts among medical doctors and bioethicists, an educational strategy, i.e., humanities courses for medical students, which may help them to deeply describe their practical present (and future) experience

Cada vez más parece ser necesario encontrar nuevas formas de comunicación entre los médicos y los bioeticistas con el fin de construir un vocabulario común para evitar conflictos: muchos problemas bioéticos se deben a la falta de diálogo entre ellos, ya que ambos parecen hablar idiomas diferentes. Mejorar este diálogo significa buscar nuevos lenguajes y formas innovadoras de comunicación: la narración podría constituir un instrumento muy eficaz para mejorar la conciencia moral de los médicos y de los bioeticistas, dado que facilita el razonamiento sobre la experiencia de una persona en particular, y, en último término, sobre nuestra experiencia. A partir de los resultados de un cuestionario administrado a un grupo de estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía de la Universidad Campus Bio-Médico presentamos una discusión teórica sobre la necesidad de un mayor diálogo y de un vocabulario común con referencia a las experiencias médicas. En este sentido, sugerimos como posible solución a los conflictos entre médicos y bioeticistas una estrategia educativa, es decir, cursos de humanidades para estudiantes de medicina, que pueden ayudarlos a describir profundamente sus experiencias prácticas presentes (y futuras)

Dignidad y ética del cuidar en las enfermedades neurodegenerativas / Dignity and ethics of care in the neurodegenerative diseases

En el contexto de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas el médico está llamado a satisfacer, más que en otras áreas, no sólo la simple demanda de salud, sino sobre todo la necesidad de asistencia que expresa una exigencia de relación. Al esquema síntoma-diagnóstico-tratamiento-sanación, en estos casos el cuidado debe sustituir un esquema abierto e incierto en la duración y en los resultados. Se trata de un modelo llamado “medicina del incurable“, que tiene como objetivo combatir la lucha contra el malestar debido a la enfermedad en vez de la lucha contra la enfermedad. En esta perspectiva, el compromiso para garantizar una calidad de vida al enfermo significa por sí mismo atención a su dignidad, que se expresa en actuar siempre hacia él tratándole como una persona, es decir como protagonista de su vida y, por lo tanto, en reconocer su derecho a ser asistido en sus dimensiones corporal, psíquica y espiritual. En este modelo reviste especial importancia tanto dialogar con el paciente, aunque afectado desde el punto de vista cognitivo, como promover la esperanza, con la convicción de que el ser humano, si tiene el apoyo adecuado, es todavía capaz, incluso en situaciones extremadamente críticas, de transformar su experiencia en una oportunidad de crecimiento, gracias a la construcción de nuevos –aunque frágiles– equilibrios (AU)

In the context of neurodegenerative diseases the doctor is called more than in other areas to respond not only to the simple question of health, but also to the need of assistance, which implicates the necessity of relationship, too. The scheme of symptom-diagnosis-treatment-healing is to be replaced in these cases with a treatment based on an open system of uncertain length and results. It is a model called “medicine of incurable”, which aims to combat the discomfort of the disease rather than the fight against the disease. In this perspective, the commitment to ensure a quality of life to the sick in itself means attention to his dignity, which is expressed in acting towards him treating him always as a person, that is protagonist of his life, and then to recognize his right to be assisted in physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. In this model it becomes particularly important to converse with the patient, even if affected by cognitive pathologies, as well as to stimulate hope, with the belief that human being, if properly supported, is still able, even in extremely critical situations, to make out of his personal experience a chance to grow, thanks to the construction of new balances, however weak they may be (AU)

[Dignity and Ethics of Care in the Neurodegenerative Diseases]. / Dignidad y Ética del Cuidar en las Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas.

In the context of neurodegenerative diseases the doctor is called more than in other areas to respond not only to the simple question of health, but also to the need of assistance, which implicates the necessity of relationship, too. The scheme of symptom diagnosis treatment healing is to be replaced in these cases with a treatment based on an open system of uncertain length and results. It is a model called ″medicine of incurable″, which aims to combat the discomfort of the disease rather than the fight against the disease. In this perspective, the commitment to ensure a quality of life to the sick in itself means attention to his dignity, which is expressed in acting towards him treating him always as a person, that is protagonist of his life, and then to recognize his right to be assisted in physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. In this model it becomes particularly important to converse with the patient, even if affected by cognitive pathologies, as well as to stimulate hope, with the belief that human being, if properly supported, is still able, even in extremely critical situations, to make out of his personal experience a chance to grow, thanks to the construction of new balances, however weak they may be.

Different mechanisms are involved in oxidative DNA damage and genotoxicity induction by ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles in human colon carcinoma cells.

In this work we investigated the genotoxicity of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs; TiO2 NPs) induced by oxidative stress on human colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2 cells). We measured free radical production in acellular conditions by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance technique and genotoxicity by micronucleus and Comet assays. Oxidative DNA damage was assessed by modified Comet assay and by measuring 8-oxodG steady state levels. The repair kinetics of DNA oxidation as well as the expression levels of hOGG1 were also analyzed. Even if both NPs were able to produce ROS in acellular conditions and to increase 8-oxodG levels in Caco-2 cells, only ZnO NPs resulted genotoxic inducing micronuclei and DNA damage. Furthermore, Caco-2 cells exposed to ZnO NPs were not able to repair the oxidative DNA damage that was efficiently repaired after TiO2 NPs treatment, through OGG1 involvement. These results indicate that the high oxidant environment caused by ZnO NPs in our cellular model can induce DNA damage and affect the repair pathways.

Detailed polyphenolic profiling of Annurca apple (M. pumila Miller cv Annurca) by a combination of RP-UHPLC and HILIC, both hyphenated to IT-TOF mass spectrometry.

Annurca apple, a Southern Italian cultivar, possesses not only a particular taste and flavor, different from other types of apple, but also several healthy properties. With the aim to thoroughly elucidate the polyphenolic profile of this variety, listed as Protected Geographical Indication product, an extensive qualitative profiling of Annurca apple polyphenolic peel extract was carried out, by employing a combination of ultra high performance reversed phase (RP-UHPLC) and hydrophilic liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to ion trap-time of flight (IT-TOF) mass spectrometry. A total of 63 compounds were tentatively identified, 25 of which not reported in Annurca apple extract so far. Furthermore, thanks to the different selectivity obtained with the HILIC, in combination with accurate mass measurements, an improved separation and detection of procyanidins, was obtained. Moreover, the obtained profiles were compared with those of a conventional variety, such as Red Delicious (RD), highlighting their differences. This work contributes to increase the knowledge about the polyphenolic fingerprint of this typical apple variety.

Post Human Body and Beauty / Cuerpo posthumano y belleza

The article calls into question the very possibility of a post-human aesthetics, starting from the following premise: rather than post-human, it is more correct to speak of post-natural, indicating by this expression a reality produced through a new type of evolution, which does not simply change human nature, but denatures it, radically transforming it into an artefact. This post-nature which aspires to be perfect, immortal, invulnerable, is entirely devoid of beauty. In fact, while there may be an aesthetic of the artificial and of the artefact if it is in relation to objects, there is, however, no aesthetic of the post-human body. This is because is configured as a non-body and does not have the characteristics for what is commonly intended as beauty (harmony between matter and form, a reflection of inner life, uniqueness). Also in this case, it is more correct to speak of post-beauty, which in its properties appears to be the mirror image of beauty and ultimately, represents its complete dissolution

El artículo pone en duda la posibilidad misma de una estética post-humana, a partir de la siguiente premisa: en lugar de post-humano, es más correcto hablar de post-natural, indicando con esta expresión una realidad producida a través de un nuevo tipo de evolución, que no cambia simplemente la naturaleza humana, sino que la des-naturaliza, transformándola radicalmente en artefacto. Esta post-naturaleza, que aspira a ser perfecta, inmortal, invulnerable, es totalmente carente de belleza. De hecho, si bien puede haber una estética de lo artificial y también del artefacto, en relación con los objetos, en cambio no puede darse una estética del cuerpo post-humano, debido a que éste se configura como un no-cuerpo y no tiene las características de lo que comúnmente se entiende por belleza (armonía entre materia y forma, reflejo de interioridad, unicidad). También en este caso, es más correcto hablar de post-belleza, que en sus propiedades parece una imagen especular de la belleza y, en última instancia, constituye su completa disolución

Post-human body and beauty.

The article calls into question the very possibility of a post-human aesthetics, starting from the following premise: rather than post-human, it is more correct to speak of post-natural, indicating by this expression a reality produced through a new type of evolution, which does not simply change human nature, but de-natures it, radically transforming it into an artefact. This post-nature which aspires to be perfect, immortal, invulnerable, is entirely devoid of beauty. In fact, while there may be an aesthetic of the artificial and of the artefact if it is in relation to objects, there is, however, no aesthetic of the post-human body. This is because is configured as a non-body and does not have the characteristics for what is commonly intended as beauty (harmony between matter and form, a reflection of inner life, uniqueness). Also in this case, it is more correct to speak of post-beauty, which in its properties appears to be the mirror image of beauty and ultimately, represents its complete dissolution.