Coral Stone Research Articles

Bioinspired multi-functional modified PVDF membrane for efficient oil-water separation

The pervasive issue of oily wastewater presents a critical environmental challenge, necessitating the development of advanced membranes that offer high purification efficiency, durability, and versatility. In this study, we introduce a novel bioinspired multifunctional membrane, synthesized by modifying polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with fibrous two-dimensional carbides and nitrides (MXene) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, drawing inspiration from the complex structure of coral stones. The membrane was fabricated using the phase inversion technique, producing a robust material that achieves over 99% separation efficiency for oil–water mixtures. Beyond oil–water separation, the membrane exhibited exceptional performance in removing various contaminants from complex oily wastewater, including heavy metals, dyes, and phenol. Remarkably, the membrane maintained its high purification efficiency even after 5 consecutive cycles of oil–water separation and pollutant adsorption. This bioinspired multifunctional modified PVDF (MMP) membrane represents a major advancement in wastewater treatment technology, with significant potential for widespread application in the purification of complex oily wastewater.

Evaluation of Concrete Compressive Strength with Coral Stone as a Fine Aggregate Replacement

This study examines the effect of using coral stone as a substitute for fine aggregate on the compressive strength of concrete. Tests were conducted with varying coral stone replacement percentages ranging from 0% to 100%. The results showed that coral stone can enhance the compressive strength of concrete, with an optimal replacement level of 80%, resulting in a 21.16% increase compared to normal concrete. However, replacements above 80% led to a decline in compressive strength, particularly at the 100% replacement level, which showed a 9.37% reduction in strength compared to normal concrete. This decrease was caused by increased porosity, varying aggregate quality, and an imbalance in the water-cement ratio, which disrupted the hydration process and microstructure formation of the concrete. Based on these findings, coral stone can be an effective alternative to replace fine aggregate such as sand, but its use should be limited to 80% to maximize the strength improvement without reducing performance.

Eccentric compression performance of coral concrete-filled aluminum alloy tube (CCFAT) circular short columns

Coral concrete, utilizing coral reef bodies in place of traditional aggregates, shows promising prospects use in island projects. The use of aluminum alloy-reinforced coral concrete columns effectively enhances the load-bearing capacity of these structures. This study aims to investigate the performance of aluminum alloy circular tube-reinforced coral concrete short columns under eccentric compression. The study involved designing fifteen short columns for eccentric compression experiments, focusing on key parameters such as aluminum content (α), eccentricity (e0), and coral concrete strength (fc). The study obtained failure modes, bearing capacities, and load-deformation relationships, and analyzed the impacts of aluminum content, eccentricity, coral concrete strength, and hoop coefficient (ξa) on the columns’ strength, stiffness, and ductility. Subsequently, a finite element parameter expansion analysis using Abaqus was performed. Ultimately, a correction coefficient model was developed, compared with existing international specifications, and used to establish a suitable calculation model for the bearing capacity of CCFAT eccentric short columns. The results indicated that CCFAT eccentric short columns predominantly experienced bending failure. The stresses in the aluminum alloy round tube can reach the conditional yield strength, effectively collaborating with the concrete. The load-deformation relationship did not exhibit an intensification stage, and the lateral deflection curves tended to follow sinusoidal half-wave patterns. During the initial loading stage, adherence to the plane-section assumption was observed, with the hoop effect primarily manifesting in the compression zone. The strength index showed an approximately quadratic relationship with ξa, the stiffness index showed a positive correlation with ξa, and the ductility index demonstrated a strong positive association with ξa. The correction coefficient model, along with AIJ (2001), can be employed for calculating the bearing capacity of CCFAT eccentric short columns. This study introduces the novel concept of aluminum alloy tube-reinforced coral concrete columns as a composite structure for island civil engineering construction. Beyond the benefits of traditional steel tube concrete, these composite columns are expected to reduce engineering costs, shorten construction timelines, and address durability concerns through the incorporation of marine coral stones and fragments as concrete aggregates.

THE ‘TREES FROM THE SEA’ CORAL ARCHITECTRURES AND INDIAN OCEAN MARITIME RESOURCES

This article presents the author’s experiences, over the past twenty-five years, in coral stone architecture. The use of marine porite coral is a technology that unites different cultures around the Indian Ocean, from the Maldives to the Swahili coast in Africa. The paper focuses on the use of environmental constraints and local resources for the construction of maritime mosques and coral buildings. The pre-Islamic origin of coral architecture is located between India and Indonesia around the first century AD. The diffusion of this technology was supported by Abbasid travellers and merchants in the Western Indian Ocean, and in Africa around the 9th century, as well as its globalisation under the Buwayhids and the Fatimids in the 11th century. This article shows how international maritime trade and Muslim diasporas disseminate a unique technology and how local populations assimilate material cultures, new technologies, new building material and how they share a common Indian Ocean identity. Keywords: Coral Stone, Indian Ocean, Swahili, Maldives, Islamic, Abbasids, Buddhism

In vitro Biomineralization Ability of Magnesium-Doped Coral Hydroxyapatite Coating Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Coral hydroxyapatite (CHA) is a calcium phosphate that has a similar inorganic composition to human bone and the porous structure of coral stone. Due to its interconnected network like pore structure, it can serve as a framework for bone conduction. In this study, CHA films and Mg-CHA films were deposited on titanium and silicon substrates by Pulsed laser deposition, and then the films were heat treated respectively. Studies on the adhesion of the coating showed that the heat-treated Mg-CHA film adhered better to the titanium substrate. The experimental study on biomineralization in vitro showed that a small amount of porous structure appeared in the heat-treated Mg-CHA after immersion in SBF for three days, and the porous structure was visible after immersion for seven days. After 14 days, a new apatite layer formed on the surface. This suggested that magnesium undergoes chemical corrosion in SBF, leading to rapid ion exchange, which results in the formation of porous structures and promotes the development of an apatite-like layer. In summary, the heat-treated Mg-CHA films had superior biomineralization properties.

A Study of Abrasion Identification for Coastal Areas at Sidangoli Gam Village

An abrasion of the coastal areas has occurred at Sidangoli Gam Village, West Halmahera of North Maluku. The original condition was planted mangroves for coastal areas protection. However, it has recently been abraded due to big waves from the Pacific Ocean. Local people and the government constructed a conventional dike using coral stone and wooden piles. Nonetheless, this dike construction is designed without physical meaning. On the other hand, local people cannot be moved to another location because they have fishermen, and this place is very familiar to them. This research aimed to study the identification factor of coastal abrasion area in the field, such as observation in length, abrasion in width, the measured elevation of land, taken coordinates by using GPS (Global Positioning System) for two points and measuring the slope of the land, lithology of the soil layer, land use, and also enquire about how long people have lived in the nearby coastline area. Therefore, the index of susceptibility to abrasion, called IKP, will be presented. The index of susceptibility of abrasion (CVI) results are obtained at 48,99, a moderate vulnerability condition. This value is considered as shoreline change of 4.0, visually observed of 5.0, abrasion in the length of 1.0, abrasion in width of 4.0, green belt width of 4.0, soil lithology of 4.0, land use of 4.0 and slope on land of 5.0. These results may be conducted using coastal dikes to avoid big and high waves from the Pacific Ocean.

Wooden traps can replace coral stone traps harvesting the wild lobster seed in mitigating the negative impact on the marine environment

Lobster seacage aquaculture has a significant social-economic contribution to many coastal communities throughout the central provinces of Vietnam. One of the issues of lobster aquaculture is that the industry entirely relies on the wild juvenile lobster (lobster seed) captured using traps made of coral stones, which affects the coastal ecology and environment. The present study was carried out to compare the catch efficiency of traps made of round timber poles (wooden trap) with conventional dead corals (coral stones) during the juvenile lobster fishing season in 2019 in the coastal area of Nha Trang city, Vietnam. Results showed that experimental wooden traps maintained the conventional catch rate level, with a significant proportion of Panulirus ornatus caught at larger carapace length than those caught by the coral stone traps. Our findings show the biological and environmental benefits of using alternative fishing methods would eliminate collecting coral stones to make lobster seed traps and contribute to coastal protection while maintaining the fishing operation and seed supplies for the lobster seacage farmers.

I Am Queen Mary

I Am Queen Mary is a transnational public art project created by La Vaughn Belle of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Jeannette Ehlers of Denmark—two artists connected by their shared Caribbean roots and colonial histories. Together they created the first collaborative sculpture to memorialize Denmark’s colonial impact in the Caribbean and those who fought against it. This monumental work debuted in March 2018 in front of the West Indian warehouse in Copenhagen in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the sale and transfer of the Danish West Indies (now the U.S. Virgin Islands) to the United States. The first monument to a Black woman in Denmark, I Am Queen Mary made international headlines as a symbol that celebrates and centers the story of people who resisted Danish colonialism in the Caribbean. In 2020 the Danish government granted permission to permanently install I Am Queen Mary in front of a former colonial warehouse in Copenhagen, acknowledging the work’s shift from a temporary artwork to an important landmark in the city. To now build the permanent sculpture, and a twin monument on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, an international funding campaign began in August 2021. The artists are still working on funding the project.I Am Queen Mary is a monument with many reference points and layers. Standing seven meters (twenty-three feet), appearing as a counterpart to a replica of Michelangelo’s David, the figure sits on top of a plinth made of coral stones cut out of the ocean by enslaved Africans. These stones make visible their labor and presence as foundational to the colonial societies. The figure is an allegorical portrait of Mary Thomas, a sugarcane plantation worker who came to be named one of the “Queens of the Fireburn” for leading the largest labor revolt in Danish colonial history in 1878. Fifty plantations and most of the town of Frederiksted in St. Croix were burned in protest of slavery-like conditions.I Am Queen Mary aims to change whose stories get to be told in the public space by centering the stories and agency of those who were brought to the Danish West Indies. This project also demonstrates how artists can be leaders in conversations around monuments and memory work around colonialism and slavery.

Coral stone-inspired superwetting membranes with anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties for highly efficient oil–water separation

Nowadays, the use of separation membranes to deal with oil–water emulsions has gained popularity. However, oil fouling of membrane surfaces during the separation of oil–water emulsion is still a significant challenge. In this study, inspired by the biological coral stone structure, the gel layer was firmly attached to the surface of membrane using a simple co-blending and cross-linking strategy. A super-wetting membrane (PVDF/CD-SA) with a coral stone structure was obtained. The PVDF/CD-SA membrane had a high permeate flux that was 4.2 times higher than that of the original membrane and a high separation efficiency of about 99.2 % for the separation of oil–water emulsion. Furthermore, the membrane had outstanding chemical stability. The fluxes of several different oil-in-water emulsions significantly improved, and the separation efficiencies were as high as 98 %. Moreover, the separation efficiencies and contact angles of the membrane remained unchanged after numerous cycles of use. The membrane exhibited excellent superhydrophilicity in air (instantaneous water wetting in air) and superoleophobicity under water (underwater oil contact angle > 156°). Most importantly, the oil was able to automatically detach from the surface of membrane, resulting in self-cleaning performance. Therefore, this PVDF/CD-SA membrane eliminated the problem of oil adhesion, exhibiting excellent potential for practical applications in oil–water separation.

Kelimpahan Ikan Karang Famili Chaetodontidae dan Kondisi Terumbu Karang di Perairan Pulau Talam, Tapanuli Tengah

The Chaetodontidae family fish is an indicator species because it has a close relationship with coral reefs based on a strong preference for coral stone as the main component of coral reefs. The existence of these fish can be used as a guide to assess and monitor the condition of coral reefs. This study was conducted in March 2022. The purpose of this study was to determine the abundance of reef fish of the Chaetodontidae family in the waters of Talam Island, to determine the condition of life coral cover and the relationship between the abundance of the Chaetodontidae family and coral cover. The method used in this study is a survey method. Data collection on reef fish of chaetodontidae family was carried out using the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) method and coral reefs condition data collection was done using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. The results showed that the abundance of Chaetodontidae ranged from 710 to 1,430 individuals/ha with an average of 1,110 individuals/ha. The highest abundance of 1,430 individuals/ha at station III with a depth of 6 meters, while the lowest abundance was station II with a depth of 8 meters which was 710 individuals/ha. The percentage of life coral cover at each station ranged from 47.70% - 56.98%, 42.60% - 54.40% and 56.68% - 69.08%. Based on these percentages, the average percentage of life coral cover is 54.74% (good category), and there is a very strong relationship between life coral cover and the abundance of the Chaetodontidae family.

OPEN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BILATERAL CORALLOID AND MULTIPLE NEPHROLITHIASIS COMPLICATED WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

This articles describes the improved preoperative techniques for preparing to the surgical operations for bilateral coralloid and multiple nephrolithiasis complicated with chronic renal failure and discusses the treatment outcomes. Materials and methods. During 2000-2020, at the Department of Urology of the Azerbaijan Medical University, more than 3,000 open surgical operations were performed on for kidney and ureter stones. 974 (32.47±0.85%) paitents had the operations for coralloid and multiple nephrolithiasis; 700 (23.33±0.77%) of them were found to have unilateral and 274 (9.13±0.53%) had bilateral coral stones. Results. The results of open surgical operations of 274 patients operated on for bilateral coralloid and multiple nephrolithiasis in the 2000-2020 period were analyzed. 190 (69.3±2.8%) of them, 105 men and 85 women, had renal insufficiency, 162 (59.1±3.0%) patients (82 men, 80 women) had the diagnosis of chronic renal failure, and 28 (10.2±1.8%) patients (19 men, 9 women) had acute chronic renal failure. The implementation of the preoperative preparation techniques, taking into account the stage of chronic renal failure, was presented. Out of 274 operated patients, the intervention was performed in 47 (17.2±2.3%) with nephrostomy (24 right, 23 left), in 28 (10.2±1.8%) with pyelostomy (16 right, 12 left), in 110 (40.1±3.0%) with intrarenal stenting (60 right, 50 left), in 6 (2.2±0.9%) with nephrostomy and intrarenal stenting (2 on the right, 4 on the left). Along with this, 56 (20.4±2.4%) patients had clamping of the renal artery from one side or another. After surgery, 48 (17.5±2.3%) patients experienced the exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis. In patients with diabetes, the exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis had a more severe course. 26 (9.5±1.8%) patients experienced the exacerbation of chronic renal failure, of them, 6 (2.2±0.9%) had a creatinine level exceeding 500 mmol/l, that was the reason for haemodialysis. Anaemia was observed in 49 (17.9±2.3%) patients with chronic pyelonephritis and chronic renal failure in the postoperative period. In patients with anaemia, the haemoglobin level was 50-85 g/l (average 71.9 ± 0.4 g/l). 11 (4.0±1.2%) of them received blood transfusions in the postoperative period. In 5 (1.8±0.8%) cases, transfusion was performed during haemodialysis. In general, 270 patients out of 274 with bilateral coralloid and multiple nephrolithiasis had open surgical treatment completed successfully, and 4 (1.5±0.7%) had fatal outcomes. In 254 (92.7±1.6%) cases, an organ-preserving operation was performed on, and in 20 (7.3±1.6%) cases, surgical resections were carried out. The study has shown the preoperative preparation and the choice of the correct surgical tactics during the operation considerably contributes to successful treatment outcomes among the patients with severe chronic renal failure.

The Effectiveness of Using Coral Stone and Shell Powder as Natural Coagulants in Reducing Mn, Fe and Turbidity Levels in Water Using the Backwash Method

Turbidity poses a big problem in water treatment. One of the processing stages in the water treatment unit is the coagulation/flocculation process to remove turbidity. This study uses coral stone and oyster shell powder as locally available natural coagulants to reduce water turbidity. Coral stone and shell powder have now been widely used as a natural coagulant in reducing Mn, Fe levels. However, using coral stone and shell powder as a natural coagulant is still debated. To determine the effectiveness of using coral stone and shellfish powder as natural coagulants in reducing Mn, Fe, and water turbidity levels using the backwashing method. This research is an experimental study with a pretest and post-test design. The population in this study was all water in community dug wells that were cloudy and contained high levels of Mn, Fe, and a sample of 100 liters was taken for filtering experiments and samples for checking levels of Mn, iron (Fe), and water turbidity. This research was conducted at the Health Polytechnic of the Aceh Ministry of Health from July to November 2021. The water analysis was carried out at the Health Laboratory of the Aceh Environmental Health Department. The laboratory tests were analyzed using the paired t-test and the ANOVA test. The results showed an effect of the treatment of coral stone and clamshells on the decrease in Fe content with a P-value of 0.012 (α < 0.05). Likewise, the Mn content affects the treatment of coral stone and shell powder with a thickness of 40 cm, 30 cm, and 20 cm, which affects the decrease in Mn content with a P-value of 0.001 (α < 0.05). The results showed that Fe levels before entering the shelter had a significant difference with the processing of coral and shell powder with a thickness of 40 cm, 30 cm, and 20 cm. Coral and shells with a thickness of 40 cm, 30 cm, and 20 cm with 15 repetitions can reduce Fe content from 5.2476 ppm to the lowest at 2.4747 ppm. Coral Rock and Shell Powder Effective as a ........

Penerapan Metode Dempster Shafer Untuk Diagnosa Penyakit Batu Karang

Rocks or urinary tract stones are small and hard deposits that form in the kidneys, urinary tract and often cause pain when urinating, due to lack of public knowledge about the problem of coral disease, and to find out about this situation, people usually do an examination at the home. Sick or Doctor. However, not everyone can do this, this can be due to insufficient economic factors or long distances to visit the doctor, there are also weaknesses in the limited working hours of the doctor's practice. Therefore, innovations and solutions are needed in these conditions, namely by utilizing computer technology to build an expert system that has the ability as a doctor in making diagnoses. This study aims to create an expert system analysis with the Dempster Shafer method that can help doctors and physician assistants, or the general public in diagnosing coral stone disease. The results of this study indicate that with the analysis of the Dempster Shafer method, more optimal and accurate diagnostic results related to coral disease are available to the general public and can assist in the examination of coral disease.

Bilateral staghorn lithiasis: a case report

Staghorn stones are large branching stones that fill part of the entire renal pelvis and calyces and can be complete or partial depending on the degree of occupation of the collecting system. Although kidney stones are more common in men, coral stones are reported less frequently in men than in women and are usually unilateral. Due to the significant morbidity and potential mortality attributed to staghorn stones, prompt evaluation and treatment are imperative. In general, the gold standard treatment for coral stones is surgical treatment to achieve a stone-free collecting system and preserve renal function.

Stretchable and conformable variable stiffness device through an electrorheological fluid.

Stiffness variations extend creatures' functions and capabilities to deal with complex environments. In this study, we proposed an electrorheological fluid-based variable stiffness device, named VSERF, made up of soft materials. Our device is soft, thin, and stretchable so that it can conform to surfaces with complex morphologies. The stiffness of the VSERF device can be continuously, independently, and reversibly adjusted by applying an electric field. It achieves 14.8-times compressive stiffness variation and 3.5-times tangential stiffness variation when the electric field intensity increases from 0 V mm-1 to 750 V mm-1. The VSERF device is able to return to its initial shape after removing the external force and electric field, allowing it to be reused. The effects of stretching and bending on the device's capability of stiffness variations are investigated experimentally and the results show that the stiffness variation is unaffected by a stretching strain of up to 20% and a bending curvature of up to 50 m-1. Finally, we show that the VSERF device is capable of conforming to complex surfaces (coral stones, pencils, and 3D printed cubes) in its inactive state, hanging on them with a weight of up to 80 g (19 times of its own weight) in its active state, and detaching when the electric field is removed. The device's short-term and long-term stabilities are experimentally investigated as well. The demonstration of the VSERF's attaching and detaching ability shows that the stiffness-variation device's adaptability to complex environments can be improved.

Почечные рефлюксы при ретроградной интраренальной хирургии

Objective: to study renal reflux and reverse suction of irrigation fluid during retrograde lithotripsy. Patients and methods. This study was conducted at the Clinic of Urology, European Medical Center between 2021 and 2022 and included 20 urolithiasis patients who underwent retrograde lithotripsy. The volume of renal reflux was assessed by precise measurement of the amount of injected and discharged irrigation fluid. In one out of 20 patients (41-year-old male with a coral stone in the left kidney), a nephrostoma was installed before hospitalization. It was used not only as an additional drainage, but also for measuring intrarenal pressure during retrograde lithotripsy. Results. The difference between the volumes of injected and discharged irrigation fluid during retrograde lithotripsy was 29.02%. Antegrade measurement during retrograde lithorpsy with an ureteral access sheath showed that the intrarenal pressure was 80 cm of water column. In case of additional nephrostomic drainage, the volume of reverse suction of irrigation fluid was 6.7%. Conclusion. Nearly 100% of patients developed renal reflux during retrograde lithotripsy; presence of nephrostomy drainage reduced the volume of reverse suction of irrigation fluid by 4-5 times.

PENGARUH KETEBALAN BATU KORAL PADA TANAH LEMPUNG DAN TANAH BERPASIR TERHADAP TEGANGAN LANGKAH DAN TEGANGAN SENTUH

Ground fault currents that flow in the disturbance area and in the switchyard area of theSubstation create tension on the ground which can result in touch voltage and step voltage thatexceed the allowable limits of human safety. The thickness of the coral rock affects the value ofthe touch voltage and step voltage. This research was conducted to determine the effect of thethickness of the coral rock on clay and sandy soil on stepvvoltage anddtouchvvoltage.Themethod used is by measuring coral, clay soils and sandy soils, then calculating thevvalueofttouch voltageaand stepvvoltage based on the thickness of the coral used. The results ofcalculations and analysis of several thicknesses of coral stones used in clay soil, obtained theresults of the touch voltage in the dry state of 153.5615 volts and in the wet state of 152.0702volts, the results of the step voltage in the dry state 188.5057 volts and in the w et state 182 ,8265 volts. On sandy soil, the results of the touch voltage are 153.6893 volts in dry conditionand 152.1981 volts in wet conditions, the results of the step voltage in dry conditions are189.141 volts and in wet conditions 183.4349 volts.

ENGRAVING OF THE INVERTED INSCRIPTIONS ON CORAL BUTTON RINGS WITH AN ORGANIC ACID

This paper deals with an important text written by Al-Tīfashāi (580-651 AH/1184-1253 AD) in his famous book “Aʾzhar al-aʾfkar fī gawaḥīr al-aʾhgar” (=The flowers of thoughts about precious stones). Al-Tīfashāi describes a distinguished method of engraving inscription on coral stone rings by “kḥall Qamr haziq” which means the Glacial acetic acid (CH3COOH). This organic acid is suitable for engraving inscriptions on the surface of coral stone rings. The author interprets Al-Tīfashāi's text following his practical steps, tools, materials used, and the suitable duration for engraving inscription on coral stone rings using this organic acid. From the archaeological point of view, dating the first application of this method on coral button rings “seals” is crucial. The author endeavours to date the coral button rings preserved in the Islamic Art Museum of Cairo, and to prove that this organic acid was the engraving method for the inscriptions. The author proved that engraving inscriptions with organic acid had been applied before using sulphuric acid H2 SO4. Finding out this method of engraving inscriptions by an organic acid. Dating its application during the early Islamic period presents a new scientific contribution to methods of engraving inscriptions (normal or inverted) on archaeological Islamic objects.

Heritage Reconstruction Planning, Sustainability Dimensions, and the Case of the Khaz’al Diwan in Kuwait

Although attempts for formulating sustainable approaches in heritage management have been ongoing since the 1980s, sustainability dimensions in the context of ‘reconstruction’ have remained an unexplored research area. By investigating the case of the ruined Khaz’al Diwan in Kuwait, an architectural heritage site in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage (WH) Tentative List, we explore and compare the roles of the ‘cultural continuity’ and ‘environmental protection’ pillars of sustainability in reconstruction planning. By employing rapid ethnographic surveying and case study methods, we first investigate the approach to ‘cultural continuity’ from the State’s stance and through local community perceptions. Albeit with nuances, the surveying revealed a preference for historicist reconstruction. However, the Khaz’al Diwan, like most of the heritage structures in the Gulf region, was originally constructed with coral stone, which is now protected under environmental laws. How feasible is the use of replacement materials in terms of sustainability perspectives that is also acceptable from heritage perspectives? Considering the high cooling loads required in this climatic region, we prioritized the energy performance of the construction materials of the external walls and the roof. Computer simulations based on scenarios testing same-type and replacement construction materials revealed how the latter could be considered as an alternative in a historicist reconstruction. The discussion revolves around the environmental and cultural parameters that are instrumental in reconstruction planning. This ultimately highlights how reconstruction policies must be shaped to redefine the role and scope of material authenticity to accommodate the local environmental and cultural realities in the wider Gulf region and Middle Eastern context.

Efficiency of Laparoscopic Treatment of the Stricture of the Bowl-ureter Segment in Combination with Urolithiasis

Stricture of the bowl-ureter segment (BUS) is one of the common pathologies in urology. Quite often in urological practice narrowing of BUS is accompanied by urolithiasis. In adults, according to various authors, the combination of these two serious pathologies occurs in 16-25 % of observations. For a long period, reconstructive-plastic surgery on BUS was a category of complex surgical interventions, required long-term intubation anesthesia, accompanied by a wide opening of the retroperitoneal space with careful allocation of the BUS area. Patients were in the hospital for a long time. Progress in the development of endoscopic equipment has contributed to the active introduction into clinical practice of minimally invasive techniques. Today, an increasing number of urologists are favoring different methods of laparoscopic plastics of BUS structures. But, both in the domestic and in the foreign literature, there are few works that would present advantages, complications, disadvantages of laparoscopic BUS plastic in combination with laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in patients with BUS complicated. This paper presents an analysis of our treatment of patients with BUS strictures in combination with urolithiasis.The objective: analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of laparoscopic MCC plastics in combination with laparoscopic pyelolithotomy in patients with MCC obstruction complicated by SCC.Materials and methods. For the period from 2013 to 2019 41 patients with the above pathology were laparoscopically operated in the clinic of theInstitute ofUrology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences ofUkraine, including 25 men and 16 women. Their age ranged from 18 to 66 years. The length of the strictures – from 0.3 to1 cm. The size of the concretions varied from 0.5 to1.5 cm. One patient was found to be a coral stone of8.6 cm in size. There were no complications. The average length of stay in the hospital was 5.4 days.Results. In the distant postoperative period, there was no recurrence of BUS stricture and stone formation, stabilization or improvement of the secretory function of the kidney on the side of the plastic was noted. The effectiveness of our use of this method was 90.2 %, which allows us to consider it as the «gold» standard in the treatment of the above pathology.Conclusion. The use of laparoscopic plastics in combination with laparoscopic pyelolithotomy has made it possible to achieve good clinical results both in the immediate and long-term postoperative period. Timely surgery allowed us to achieve positive results in all patients with hydronephrotic transformation due to BUS stricture and complicated urolithiasis.