No abstract

A ternary‐phase Li4Ti5O12/TiO2 (LTO/TiO2) nanosheet composite is successfully synthesized by a one‐pot hydrothermal method followed by two‐step annealing ways. It exhibits high specific capacities of 170 mAh g−1, 154 mAh g−1, 138.5 mAh g−1, and 123.9 mAh g−1 at 1 C, 10 C, 30 C and 50 C, respectively. After 3000 cycles at 20 C, over 89.2 % original specific capacity retention is maintained with approximately 100 % columbic efficiency. The excellent rate performance and cycling stability are attributed to the high crystallinity, the thin nanosheets, the high surface area, and an appropriate amount of nanostructured TiO2 seeds dispersed in the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) matrix for the final products.

Background Owing to the increase in both intravenous drug injections and intracardiac and vascular interventional treatments among drug users, the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) involving the tricuspid valve, which sits between the two right heart chambers, has gradually increased. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of different surgical procedures for tricuspid infective endocarditis (TIE). Methods We retrospectively analyzed fifty-six patients who underwent tricuspid valve surgery at our hospital from January 2006 to August 2019. All patients were diagnosed with TIE and indicated a need for surgery. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected to summarize and analyze the clinical outcomes of different surgical approaches, including tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) and tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) for TIE. Results Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time were shorter in the TVP group than in the TVR group. Additionally, the incidence of red blood cell transfusion and postoperative complications was lower in the TVP group than in the TVR group. The postoperative 30-day mortality rates were similar between both the groups. Fifty-two patients were followed up for an average of 5.50 ± 3.79 years. The postoperative 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 100%, 100%, and 95.5% in the TVP group and 96.7%, 96.7%, and 96.7% in the TVR group, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year reoperation rates were 0% and 0% in the TVP group and 6.7% and 20% in the TVR group, respectively. Conclusion Both TVR and TVP for TIE significantly improved the functional status of the heart with satisfactory efficacy. TVP was found to be superior to TVR in reducing the need for postoperative blood transfusions, reducing the risk of postoperative complications, and reducing the need for long-term reoperations.