[Problem] To provide a labeled fatty acid derivative for diagnostic imaging that enables the quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity. [Solution] The inventors, engaging in diligent research into methods that enable the quantification of fatty acid metabolic activity, discovered that a labeled fatty acid derivative represented by formula (1), in which [.sup.18F] has been substituted at a specific position of a long-chain carboxylic acid compound containing a sulfur atom, or a salt thereof, has good accumulation in the myocardium, and enables imaging of fatty acid metabolic activity via positron emission tomography (PET). Therefore, the labeled fatty acid derivative according to the present invention can be used as a radiotracer for swift and noninvasive quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity, diagnostic imaging of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, diagnostic imaging of the therapeutic effects yielded by a heart disease therapeutic agent, and so forth.

[Problem] To provide a labeled fatty acid derivative for diagnostic imaging that enables the quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity. [Solution] The inventors, engaging in diligent research into methods that enable the quantification of fatty acid metabolic activity, discovered that a labeled fatty acid derivative represented by formula (1), in which [.sup.18F] has been substituted at a specific position of a long-chain carboxylic acid compound containing a sulfur atom, or a salt thereof, has good accumulation in the myocardium, and enables imaging of fatty acid metabolic activity via positron emission tomography (PET). Therefore, the labeled fatty acid derivative according to the present invention can be used as a radiotracer for swift and noninvasive quantification of myocardial fatty acid metabolic activity, diagnostic imaging of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, diagnostic imaging of the therapeutic effects yielded by a heart disease therapeutic agent, and so forth.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), (IV) or a salt thereof, compositions and methods of making the compound, methods and reagents for measuring the compound, and kits using the same. The use of a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), or formula (IV) for assessing or monitoring kidney function in a subject, determining predisposition to developing reduced kidney function, classifying a subject according to level of kidney function, and diagnosing or monitoring chronic kidney disease is also described.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), (IV) or a salt thereof, compositions and methods of making the compound, methods and reagents for measuring the compound, and kits using the same. The use of a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), or formula (IV) for assessing or monitoring kidney function in a subject, determining predisposition to developing reduced kidney function, classifying a subject according to level of kidney function, and diagnosing or monitoring chronic kidney disease is also described.

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), (IV) or a salt thereof, compositions and methods of making the compound, methods and reagents for measuring the compound, and kits using the same. The use of a compound of formula (I), formula (II), formula (III), or formula (IV) for assessing or monitoring kidney function in a subject, determining predisposition to developing reduced kidney function, classifying a subject according to level of kidney function, and diagnosing or monitoring chronic kidney disease is also described.

The invention concerns a synthesis process of a compound of the following formula (I) or one of the salts thereof,

##STR00001## wherein R represents a COOH, CH.sub.2OH or CHO group, comprising the step according to which the but-3-ene-1,2-diol (BDO) is subjected to an oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising an active phase based on at least one noble metal selected from palladium, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium, and a support containing alkaline sites.

The invention also concerns the application of this reaction to the preparation of bioavailable compounds of methionine used, in particular, in animal nutrition.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

A Addition-fragmentation oligomers containing allylic disulfide groups are described. The oligomers may be added to polymerizable compositions to provide labile crosslinks that can cleave and reform during the polymerization process.

A Addition-fragmentation oligomers containing allylic disulfide groups are described. The oligomers may be added to polymerizable compositions to provide labile crosslinks that can cleave and reform during the polymerization process.