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Coastal upwelling areas are extraordinarily productive environments where prokaryotic communities, the principal remineralizers of dissolved organic matter (DOM), rapidly respond to phytoplankton bloom and decay dynamics. Nevertheless, the extent of variability of key microbial functions in such dynamic waters remains largely unconstrained. Our metatranscriptomics analyses of 162 marker genes encoding ecologically relevant prokaryotic functions showed distinct spatial-temporal patterns in the NW Iberian Peninsula upwelling area. Short-term (daily) changes in specific bacterial functions associated with changes in biotic and abiotic factors were superimposed on seasonal variability. Taxonomic and functional specialization of prokaryotic communities, based mostly on different resource acquisition strategies, was observed. Our results uncovered the potential influence of prokaryotic functioning on phytoplankton bloom composition and development (e.g., Cellvibrionales and Flavobacteriales increased relative gene expression related to vitamin B12 and siderophore metabolisms during Chaetoceros and Dinophyceae summer blooms). Notably, bacterial adjustments to C- or N-limitation and DMSP availability during summer phytoplankton blooms and different spatial-temporal patterns of variability in the expression of genes with different phosphate affinity indicated a complex role of resource availability in structuring bacterial communities in this upwelling system. Also, a crucial role of Cellvibrionales in the degradation of DOM (carbohydrate metabolism, TCA cycle, proteorhodopsin, ammonium, and phosphate uptake genes) during the summer phytoplankton bloom was found. Overall, this dataset revealed an intertwined mosaic of microbial interactions and nutrient utilization patterns along a spatial-temporal gradient that needs to be considered if we aim to understand the biogeochemical processes in some of the most productive ecosystems in the world´s oceans.

Las vacas de refugo son un subproducto de la actividad de cría. Debido a su baja condición corporal y palatabilidad de la carne, poseen un menor precio y frecuentemente son destinadas a elaboración de conservas. Se ha visto que los taninos podrían ser una estrategia nutricional alternativa a algunos moduladores ruminales, que mejorarían el perfil de aminoácidos de la carne. Además, la maduración de esta carne resaltaría sus características organolépticas, aportándole un mayor valor de mercado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del agregado de taninos condensados en la suplementación de una dieta de terminación de vacas de refugo basada en pasturas naturales, sobre el perfil de aminoácidos, calidad sensorial y estabilidad oxidativa de la carne madurada. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la adición de taninos podría utilizarse en esta categoría, mejorando la terneza, sin comprometer otras características de calidad ni el contenido de aminoácidos esenciales.

Summary: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is recommended in revascularization guidelines for intermediate lesions. However, recent studies comparing FFR-guided PCI with non-physiology-guided revascularization have reported conflicting results. PubMed and Embase were searched for studies comparing FFR-guided PCI with non-physiology-guided revascularization strategies (angiography-guided, intracoronary imaging-guided, coronary artery bypass grafting). Data were pooled by meta-analysis using random-effects model. 26 studies enrolling 78,897 patients were included. FFR-guided PCI as compared to non-physiology-guided coronary revascularization had lower risk of all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.79 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.99, I2 = 53%) and myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 0.74 95% CI 0.59–0.93, I2 = 44.7%). However, no differences between groups were found in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (OR 0.86 95% CI 0.72–1.03, I2 = 72.3%) and repeat revascularization (OR 1 95% CI 0.82–1.20, I2 = 43.2%). Among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), FFR-guided PCI as compared to non-physiology-guided revascularization was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and MI.

Abstract Microbial heterotrophic activity is a major process regulating the flux of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the ocean, while the characteristics of this DOM strongly influence its microbial utilization and fate in the ocean. In order to broaden the vertical resolution of leucine-to-carbon conversion factors (CFs), needed for converting substrate incorporation into biomass production by heterotrophic bacteria, 20 dilution experiments were performed in the North Atlantic Ocean. We found a depth-stratification in empirical CFs values from epipelagic to bathypelagic waters (4.00 ± 1.09 to 0.10 ± 0.00 kg C mol Leu−1). Our results demonstrated that the customarily used theoretical CF of 1.55 kg C mol Leu−1 in oceanic samples can lead to an underestimation of prokaryotic heterotrophic production in epi- and mesopelagic waters, while it can overestimate it in the bathypelagic ocean. Pearson correlations showed that CFs were related not only to hydrographic variables such as temperature, but also to specific phylogenetic groups and DOM quality and quantity indices. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model predicting CFs from relatively simple hydrographic and optical spectroscopic measurements was attempted. Taken together, our results suggest that differences in CFs throughout the water column are significantly connected to DOM, and also reflect differences linked to specific prokaryotic groups.

Marine microorganisms are involved in a variety of biogeochemical cycles and live in diverse ecological communities where they interact with each other and with other organisms to guarantee ecosystem functions. The present study focused on a shallow marine environment located in Ría de Vigo (NW, Spain), where sediment and size-fractionated plankton samples were collected from 2016 to 2018. DNA metabarcoding was used to describe the eukaryote and prokaryote composition and diversity in sediments and plankton and to depict possible associations among the most frequent and abundant organisms by co-occurrence network analysis. High eukaryote and prokaryote diversity indices were obtained in all compartments. Significant differences among eukaryote and prokaryote communities were found between sediment and plankton samples, with a high percentage of exclusive operational taxonomic units (OTUs) associated with each compartment, especially from sediment. Despite these differences, shared taxa between water and sediment were also obtained, suggesting a relatively meaningful exchange of organisms between both environmental compartments. Significant co-occurrences were mainly obtained between prokaryotes (41%), followed by eukaryotes–prokaryotes (32%) and between eukaryotes (27%). The abundant and strong positive correlations between organisms, including representatives from the sediment and the water column, suggested an essential role of biotic interactions as community-structuring factors in shallow waters where beneficial associations likely prevail. This study provides a novel approach for the detailed description of the eukaryote and prokaryote diversity and co-occurrence patterns in a shallow marine area, including both the sediment and different water-size fractions. The high diversity obtained and the detection of predominantly coexisting interactions among organisms from sediment and the overlying water column suggest a movement of species between both habitats and therefore confirm the importance of integratively studying shallow marine ecosystems.

BackgroundSince 1996, the standard of care (SOC) therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of a backbone of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug combinations (2DC) has been considered for selected patients to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing triple therapy (TT) to dolutegravir- (DTG) and/or boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based 2DC in a large Spanish cohort of HIV patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed using data from the VACH cohort, a prospective multicentre Spanish cohort of adult HIV patients. All treatment experienced patients initiating a TT of an INSTI combined with two NRTIs or a 2DC-containing DTG and/or a bPI between 01/01/2012 and 01/06/2017 were included. The unit of analysis was patient-regimens. The overall sample analysis was complemented with two sub-analyses. The first sub-analysis focused on patients treated with a backbone plus DTG compared to those treated with DTG+ one other antiretroviral. The second sub-analysis focused on patients with HIV RNAResultsOverall 7,481 patients were included in the analysis, contributing to 9,243 patient-regimens. Patient characteristics at baseline differed among groups, with the 2DC group being significantly older and having a higher proportion of women, a longer time on ART and a higher number of previous virologic failures. Median (95% Confidence Interval [C.I.]) time to switch was 2.5 years (2.3, 2.7) in 2DC group versus 2.9 years (2.7, 3.0) in TT. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% C.I.) for discontinuation due to any reason, virologic failure and toxicity in the 2DC vs TT group were 1.29 (1.15; 1.44), 2.06 (1.54; 2.77) and 1.18 (0.94; 1.48), respectively. Results were consistent in the two sub-analyses.ConclusionIn this analysis, time to discontinuation and probability of remaining free of virologic failure were significantly higher in patients on INSTI-based TT compared to DTG- and/or bPI-containing 2DC, with no differences in toxicity.

OBJECTIVE:Osteoarthritis of the lower limb (OALL) worsens health-related quality of life (HRQL), but this impact has not been quantified with standardized measures. We intend to evaluate the impact of OALL on HRQL through measures based on individual preferences in comparison to the general population. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 6234 subjects aged 50 years or older without OALL were selected from the Spanish general population (National Health Survey 2011-12). An opportunistic sample of patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed with hip (n = 331) or knee osteoarthritis (n = 393), using the American Rheumatism Association criteria, was recruited from six hospitals and 21 primary care centers in Vizcaya, Madrid and Tenerife between January and December 2015. HRQL was measured with the EQ-5D-5L, and the results were transformed into utility scores. Sociodemographic variables (age, sex, social group, cohabitation), number of chronic diseases, and body mass index were considered. The clinical stage of OALL was collected using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the Oxford hip score and Oxford knee score. Generalized linear models were constructed using the utility index as the dependent variable. RESULTS:HRQL expressed by OALL patients was significantly worse than this of the general population. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the mean utility loss was -0.347 (95% CI: -0.390, -0.303) for osteoarthritis of the hip and -0.295 (95% CI: -0.336, -0.255) for osteoarthritis of the knee. OALL patients who were treated at a hospital had an additional utility loss of -0.112 (95% CI: -0.158, -0.065). CONCLUSION:OALL has a great impact on HRQL. People with OALL perceive a utility loss of approximately 0.3 points compared to the general population without osteoarthritis, which is very high in relation to the utility loss reported for other chronic diseases and for arthritis in general.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto del extracto de romero, del ácido ascórbico y de una combinación de ambos (todos ellos adicionados por aspersión) durante la comercialización de carne de cerdo conservada a 4ºC y envasada en bandejas plásticas cubiertas con film de PVC (cloruro de polivinilo) o bajo vacío. Durante el almacenamiento se evaluó el pH, color, índice de rojez, oxidación de lípidos, recuento total de aerobios mesófilos, mermas por goteo, aroma a carne en mal estado y aromas no característicos. Los resultados sugieren que, independientemente del sistema de envasado (bandejas con film de PVC o vacío), la aplicación por aspersión sobre la superficie de extracto de romero dio como resultado una disminución de la oxidación lipídica, sin afectar otras características de calidad. El ácido ascórbico no mostró un efecto antioxidante.

Knowledge of the magnitude and variability of plankton respiration is a crucial gap in our understanding of marine carbon cycling. In order to validate the INT reduction method as a proxy for plankton respiration, we have compiled and analyzed a dataset (n = 376) of concurrent measurements of dissolved oxygen consumption (CRO2) and in vivo reduction of 2-para (iodophenyl)-3(nitrophenyl)-5(phenyl) tetrazolium chloride tetrazolium salt (INT) spanning a wide range of oceanic regions and physicochemical conditions. Data were randomly divided into two independent subgroups: two thirds of the data were used to derive a regression conversion between dissolved oxygen consumption and INT reduction (“training” dataset) and one third of the data was used to validate the regression (“test” dataset). There was a significant relationship between the log-transformed dissolved oxygen consumption rates and the log-transformed INT reduction rates (INTT) with the “training” dataset (logCRO2 = 0.72logINTT + 0.44, R2 = 0.69, n = 249, p < 0.001). The estimated oxygen consumption rates obtained applying the former equation were compared to the measured dissolved oxygen consumption rates from the “test” dataset which spans over three orders of magnitude range of respiration rates. There was no significant difference between the measured and estimated dissolved oxygen consumption rates, indicating that the INT reduction method can be used as a proxy for respiration in natural plankton communities. Further analysis dividing the data by temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration, indicated that the predictive capacity of the empirical conversion equation is increased at temperatures >8°C and chlorophyll-a concentrations >0.2 μg L-1 and reduced at lower temperatures and chlorophyll-a concentrations. The results of this study endorse the adequate performance and reliability of the INT method for natural plankton communities.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue revisar la literatura referente al empleo de taninos en dietas de rumiantes y su incidencia sobre parámetros de calidad y rendimiento de carne. Los taninos son un grupo de compuestos fenólicos que cumplen un rol fundamental, aunque controversial, en la digestión y la performance animal. Además, podrían incidir sobre la calidad del producto. La bibliografía revela la existencia de numerosas investigaciones que evalúan los efectos de la incorporación de taninos en la dieta de pequeños rumiantes, orientadas fundamentalmente al desempeño productivo ovino. Si bien existe información sobre su efecto en la performance en bovinos, poco se sabe acerca de su influencia sobre parámetros físicos y químicos que definen atributos de calidad de la carne.

Unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) is an alternative to provide transplants in children with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who lack a related donor. Intravenous Busulfan (Bu) combined with therapeutic drug monitoring-guided dosing has been increasingly used, with more predictable bioavailability and better outcomes comparing to oral Bu. There is still an important variation in Bu pharmacokinetic between patients that is associated with an increased risk of toxicity and graft failure. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of first-dose pharmacokinetic adapted myeloablative conditioning regimen of intravenous Bu on the different outcomes after transplantation. Data of 36 children who underwent allogeneic HSCT with Bu plus a second alkylating agent at Sainte Justine Hospital in Montreal, Canada, between December 2000 and April 2012 were analyzed. For children with high risk myeloid malignancies receiving an UCBT, first dose Bu pharmacokinetic seems to be a significant prognostic factor, influencing neutrophil (100% vs 67.9%) and platelet recovery (95.5% vs 70.5%), non-relapse mortality (0% vs 18.6%), EFS (64% vs 28.6%) and OS (81.3% vs 37.5%) for a first-dose steady-state concentration (Css) 600ng/mL, respectively. These data reinforce the importance of Busulfan therapeutic drug monitoring-guided dosing in pediatric HSCT patients, particularly in the context of UCBT.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue revisar la literatura referente al empleo de taninos en dietas de rumiantes y su incidencia sobre parámetros de calidad y rendimiento de carne. Los taninos son un grupo de compuestos fenólicos que cumplen un rol fundamental, aunque controversial, en la digestión y la performance animal. Además, podrían incidir sobre la calidad del producto. La bibliografía revela la existencia de numerosas investigaciones que evalúan los efectos de la incorporación de taninos en la dieta de pequeños rumiantes, orientadas fundamentalmente al desempeño productivo ovino. Si bien existe información sobre su efecto en la performance en bovinos, poco se sabe acerca de su influencia sobre parámetros físicos y químicos que definen atributos de calidad de la carne.

La creciente importancia de la avicultura en la Provincia de Entre Ríos (Argentina) hace necesario profundizar en el conocimiento de esta industria. En este caso, el almacenamiento constituye un factor clave para mantener la calidad de las carnes durante la cadena de distribución. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de distintas condiciones de conservación sobre los parámetros de calidad de fillets de pechugas de pollos, simulando su comercialización en mercado interno y exportación. Se determinaron: pH, terneza, mermas por cocción y color a fillets marinados y sin marinar, conservados en refrigeración durante 4 días y en congelación 90 y 180 días. Los resultados indican que la terneza y las mermas por cocción no se modificaron por efecto de las condiciones de conservación estudiadas, sólo se observó un mayor valor de pH y de la coordenada a* en fillets luego de 180 días en congelación.

Relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a leading cause of death by cancer in children. Our institution has switched relapse treatment strategy to improve survival. We reviewed records of first relapse/refractory childhood ALL between 1996 and 2012. Based on length of first remission, relapse site and immunophenotype, patients were classified into two groups: standard-risk relapse (SRR) and high-risk relapse and refractory (HRRR). Before 2007, all patients were uniformly treated with the same induction as at presentation, followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Since 2007, treatment was given according to risk of failure: SRR were mostly treated with chemotherapy; HRRR patients underwent HSCT after intensive chemotherapy, aiming reduction of pre-transplant disease burden. Sixty-four patients were included. Thirty (47%) were SRR and 34 (53%) HRRR, including 11 with refractory ALL. Five-years overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were similar for SRR, but were significantly higher with new risk-based strategy for HRRR: 56% versus 17% (P = 0.03) for OS, and 56% vs 11% for EFS (P = 0.008), respectively. In multivariate analysis, treatment strategy was significantly associated with survival. In conclusion, change for a risk-based strategy in our institution increased survival of high-risk patients to levels similar of those of standard-risk patients.

El consumo de carne de ave en forma de trozado y productos procesados se encuentra en permanente aumento. Esto genera una elevada cantidad de materias aptas para el deshuesado mecánico. El lavado con solución acuosa de la carne de ave mecánicamente deshuesada mejora las características de este producto ya que elimina grasa, hemopigmentos y otros compuestos solubles indeseables. Su utilización en la formulación de productos reestructurados como los nuggets permitiría un interesante aprovechamiento de la misma. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar las características texturales de nuggets de pollo formulados con distintos porcentajes de carne de ave mecánicamente recuperada y lavada, en reemplazo de carne de ave manualmente deshuesada. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos se observa que la textura de los nuggets se vio afectada a partir de reemplazos del 20% de carne manualmente deshuesada por carne mecánicamente recuperada y lavada.

Los sistemas extensivos de alimentación ofrecen carnes bovinas con características físicas, químicas y nutritivas que presentan una mayor diferenciación con aquellas obtenidas bajo sistemas intensivos cuanto mayor resulta el período de terminación en confinamiento. En algunos aspectos como el color de la grasa, terneza, insaturación lipídica y velocidad de crecimiento, las dietas basadas en granos, altamente energéticas, resultan muy interesantes. Sin embargo, aparecen también algunos problemas que deberían ser considerados, tales como eventuales alteraciones organolépticas, disminución de su vida útil, menor concentración en isómeros del ácido linoleico conjugado y una mayor relación de ácidos grasos n6/n3. Además, la no aplicación o aplicación incorrecta de procedimientos tecnológicos por la industria frigorífica pueden conducir al desmejoramiento y aumento en la variabilidad de los atributos más apreciados por el consumidor. Éste debería disponer de información en relación al tipo de carne que adquiere y cómo debería ser preparada para obtener la máxima satisfacción.

La carne de ave mecánicamente recuperada (MDPM) es un subproducto de la industria avícola que posee un bajo precio de mercado debido, entre otras cosas, a su coloración oscura que la hace indeseable en productos dirigidos al mercado de carnes blancas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar la influencia del tiempo y número de lavados sobre las características de la MDPM, a fin de optimizar dicho proceso con vistas al aprovechamiento en reemplazo de carne entera de ave. Los tiempos de lavado estudiados fueron: 10, 20 o 30 min y el número de lavados 2, 3 o 4. Los resultados sugieren que la mayor extracción de hemopigmentos se logra con 4 lavados de 30 min cada uno. Sin embargo, para obtener un color similar al de la carne entera de pechuga de pollo, 4 lavados de 10 min cada uno o 3 lavados de 30 min cada uno serían suficientes.

La congelación es un excelente método para la preservación de carnes, resultando mínimos los cambios en sus propiedades cualitativas y organolépticas. Sin embargo, durante la descongelación posterior se produce una exudación que si es demasiado abundante resulta en una disminución en la calidad del alimento. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido estudiar la posible relación entre las mermas producidas durante la descongelación de fillets de pechugas de pollo y algunos parámetros de calidad, como pH y color, y desarrollar un modelo matemático para la predicción de dichas mermas. Los resultados obtenidos indican la existencia de una importante correlación entre las mermas producidas durante la descongelación y el pH de los fillets de pollo y también entre el pH y el color rojo (coordenada a*). Los modelos matemáticos propuestos presentan un ajuste importante por lo que permitirían una aceptable predicción de las mermas por descongelación en fillets.

Como, para el consumidor, la mayor o menor aceptabilidad de un corte de carne bovina depende principalmente de su terneza, los cortes minoristas son comercializados básicamente con un precio acorde a la terneza esperada y a su facilidad de preparación. No obstante, éste es un parámetro sumamente variable y las causas tienen relación con factores genéticos, condiciones medio-ambientales y tratamiento post-mortem aplicado. A esta particularidad debe adicionársele el hecho de que ningún sistema de tipificación actual es capaz de clasificar las reses garantizando un nivel mínimo de terneza aceptable. Los intentos por medir directamente la terneza u obtener una estimación de ella mediante la utilización de otros parámetros simples no han arrojado hasta el momento resultados expresivos o de fácil aplicación industrial. No obstante, el conocimiento actual ofrece alternativas para no sólo disminuir la alta variabilidad intrínseca de este parámetro, sino también para mejorarlo en determinadas ocasiones. Aún quedan muchas incógnitas por resolver, pero la integración de la cadena productiva de carnes bovinas, incluidos aquí los consumidores, junto al control de los puntos críticos de elaboración y la aplicación de modernas tecnologías significará, seguramente un buen punto de partida para el mejoramiento de la terneza de las carnes para consumo.

La creciente importancia de la avicultura en la Provincia de Entre Ríos (Argentina) hace necesario profundizar en el conocimiento de esta industria. En este caso, el almacenamiento constituye un factor clave para mantener la calidad de las carnes durante la cadena de distribución. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de distintas condiciones de conservación sobre los parámetros de calidad de fillets de pechugas de pollos, simulando su comercialización en mercado interno y exportación. Se determinaron: pH, terneza, mermas por cocción y color a fillets marinados y sin marinar, conservados en refrigeración durante 4 días y en congelación 90 y 180 días. Los resultados indican que la terneza y las mermas por cocción no se modificaron por efecto de las condiciones de conservación estudiadas, sólo se observó un mayor valor de pH y de la coordenada a* en fillets luego de 180 días en congelación.

Screening of antibody (Ab) libraries by direct display on the surface of E. coli cells is hampered by the presence of the outer membrane (OM). In this work we demonstrate that the native β-domains of EhaA autotransporter and intimin, two proteins from enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) with opposite topologies in the OM, are effective systems for the display of immune libraries of single domain Abs (sdAbs) from camelids (nanobodies or VHH) on the surface of E. coli K-12 cells and for the selection of high affinity sdAbs using magnetic cell sorting (MACS). We analyzed the capacity of EhaA and intimin β-domains to display individual sdAbs and sdAb libraries obtained after immunization with the extracellular domain of the translocated intimin receptor from EHEC (TirM(EHEC)). We demonstrated that both systems displayed functional sdAbs on the surface of E. coli cells with little proteolysis and cellular toxicity, although E. coli cells displaying sdAbs with the β-domain of intimin showed higher antigen-binding capacity. Both E. coli display libraries were screened for TirM(EHEC) binding clones by MACS. High affinity binders were selected by both display systems, although more efficiently with the intimin β-domain. The specificity of the selected clones against TirM(EHEC) was demonstrated by flow cytometry of E. coli cells, along with ELISA and surface plasmon resonance with purified sdAbs. Finally, we employed the E. coli cell display systems to provide an estimation of the affinity of the selected sdAb by flow cytometry analysis under equilibrium conditions.

We present the results of the microstratigraphic, phytolith and wood charcoal study of the remains of a 10.5 ka roof. The roof is part of a building excavated at Tell Qarassa (South Syria), assigned to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period (PPNB). The Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) period in the Levant coincides with the emergence of farming. This fundamental change in subsistence strategy implied the shift from mobile to settled aggregated life, and from tents and huts to hard buildings. As settled life spread across the Levant, a generalised transition from round to square buildings occurred, that is a trademark of the PPNB period. The study of these buildings is fundamental for the understanding of the ever-stronger reciprocal socio-ecological relationship humans developed with the local environment since the introduction of sedentism and domestication. Descriptions of buildings in PPN archaeological contexts are usually restricted to the macroscopic observation of wooden elements (posts and beams) and mineral components (daub, plaster and stone elements). Reconstructions of microscopic and organic components are frequently based on ethnographic analogy. The direct study of macroscopic and microscopic, organic and mineral, building components performed at Tell Qarassa provides new insights on building conception, maintenance, use and destruction. These elements reflect new emerging paradigms in the relationship between Neolithic societies and the environment. A square building was possibly covered here with a radial roof, providing a glance into a topologic shift in the conception and understanding of volumes, from round-based to square-based geometries. Macroscopic and microscopic roof components indicate buildings were conceived for year-round residence rather than seasonal mobility. This implied performing maintenance and restoration of partially damaged buildings, as well as their adaptation to seasonal variability.