The invention relates to the detection of methylmalonic acid (MMA). In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting derivatized methylmalonic acid (MMA) by mass spectrometry.

The invention discloses a detection kit for a quaternary ammonium compound having a -carboxyl group. The kit includes a fluorescent compound having a fluorophore. The fluorophore of the fluorescent compound is used for forming a derivative with the -carboxyl group of the quaternary ammonium compound by an S.sub.N2 nucleophilic substitution reaction. The kit further includes a polar aprotic solvent used for accelerating the S.sub.N2 nucleophilic substitution reaction.

A detection method for a quaternary ammonium compound having a -carboxyl group includes: mixing a sample including the quaternary ammonium compound having the -carboxyl group, a fluorescent compound having a fluorophore and a polar aprotic solvent to form a reaction solution. A S.sub.N2 nucleophilic substitution reaction is performed between the fluorophore of the fluorescent compound and the -carboxyl group of the quaternary ammonium compound to obtain a derivation solution including a derivative which is a quaternary ammonium compound with the -carboxyl group substituted with the fluorophore of the fluorescent compound. An extractant and a cosolvent are added to the derivation solution to form a water-in-oil emulsion which disperses in the derivation solution, followed by extracting the derivative from the derivation solution by the extractant to obtain an analytic solution, wherein a polarity of the extractant is higher than a polarity of the polar aprotic solvent. The derivative in the analytic solution is detected; and therefore, the quaternary ammonium compound having the -carboxyl group in the sample can be easily detected by reverse-phase liquid chromatography, fluorescence spectrometry or mass spectrometry.

Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.

Compositions of P4HB with high purity have been developed. The compositions are prepared by washing P4HB biomass prior to solvent extraction, and precipitating P4HB from solution. The same solvent is preferably used to wash the P4HB biomass, and as a non-solvent to precipitate the polymer from a P4HB solvent solution. The highly pure P4HB compositions are suitable for preparing implants. The implants may be used for the repair of soft and hard tissues.

The invention relates to the detection of fatty acids. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting very long chain fatty acids and branched chain fatty acids by mass spectrometry.

To provide an anti-cancer agent sensitivity determination marker, which marker can determine whether or not the patient has a therapeutic response to the anti-cancer agent, and novel cancer therapeutic means employing the marker. The anti-cancer agent sensitivity determination marker, the anti-cancer agent including oxaliplatin or a salt thereof and fluorouracil or a salt thereof, contains one or more substances selected from among an amino-acid-metabolism-related substance, a nucleic-acid-metabolism-related substance, a substance in the pentose phosphate pathway, a substance in the glycolytic pathway, a substance in the TCA cycle, a polyamine-metabolism-related substance, 7,8-dihydrobiopterin, 6-phosphogluconic acid, butyric acid, triethanolamine, 1-methylnicotinamide, NADH, NAD.sup.+, and a substance involved in the metabolism of any of these substances.

Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.

The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject and a method for monitoring progression or regression of heart failure in a subject. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

The invention relates to the detection of fatty acids. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting very long chain fatty acids and branched chain fatty acids by mass spectrometry.