A new class of catalytic ionic liquids, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM][FeCl4] and its modified version, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate [BMIM][FeCl4], were systematically investigated. The modified ionic liquid [BMIM]­[FeCl4] was used to upgrade heavy crude oils. The effects of the reaction temperature and the amount of water on the upgrading of heavy crude oils were studied. The reduction of viscosity by [BMIM]­[FeCl4] is remarkable when the amount of water in the heavy crude oil is less than 8%. It was found that [BMIM]­[FeCl4]-based ionic liquids have the best effect on the heavy crude oil upgrading at the optimum temperature between 70–90 °C. The results show that the viscosity reduction increased from 26.8 to 78.6% when the heavy crude oil was treated with [BMIM]­[FeCl4] at 90 °C. Also, the sulfur reduction increased to 20%. [BMIM]­[Cl] and [BMIM]­[FeCl4] were studied by physicochemical methods and catalytic activity measurements in upgrading of heavy oils.

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Background and AimsContrast‐enhanced cross‐sectional imaging is the cornerstone in the diagnosis, staging, and management of HCC, including eligibility for liver transplantation (LT). Radiological‐histopathological discordance may lead to improper staging and may impact patient outcomes. We aimed to assess the radiological‐histopathological discordance at the time of LT in HCC patients and its impact on the post‐LT outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed further the effect of 6‐month waiting policy on the discordance. Using United Network for Organ Sharing—Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (UNOS‐OPTN) database, we examined the discordance between pre‐LT imaging and explant histopathology for all adult HCC patients who received liver transplants from deceased donors between April 2012 and December 2017. Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of discordance on 3‐year HCC recurrence and mortality.ResultsOf 6842 patients included in the study, 66.7% were within Milan criteria on both imaging and explant histopathology, and 33.3% were within the Milan based on imaging but extended beyond Milan on explant histopathology. Male gender, increasing numbers of tumors, bilobar distribution, larger tumor size, and increasing AFP are associated with increased discordance. Post‐LT HCC recurrence and death were significantly higher in patients who were discordant, with histopathology beyond Milan (adj HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.32–2.63 for mortality and 1.32, 95% CI 1.03–1.70 for recurrence). Graft allocation policy with 6‐month waiting time led to increased discordance (OR 1.19, CI 1.01–1.41), although it did not impact post‐LT outcome.ConclusionCurrent practice for staging of HCC based on radiological imaging features alone results in underestimation of HCC burden in one out of three patients with HCC. This discordance is associated with a higher risk of post‐LT HCC recurrence and mortality. These patients will need enhanced surveillance to optimize patient selection and aggressive LRT to reduce post‐LT recurrence and increase survival.

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