Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods for direct sample nucleic acid amplification with optional detection. The methods of the present disclosure provide for the foregoing without the requirement of nucleic acid purification from the sample. The methods generally comprise diluting a sample containing a nucleic acid target sequence to be amplified to produce a diluted sample, optionally subjecting the diluted sample to processing, either before or after dilution, and performing an amplification reaction on the sample to amplify the nucleic acid target sequence.

Abstract: Although a more accurate estimate of a person's risk of cardiovascular disease can be made on the basis of the number of lipoprotein particles per unit volume in the person's blood, current methods all rely on measuring the mass of lipoprotein cholesterol per unit volume. It has been discovered that a rapid and accurate lipoprotein particle count can be obtained by photometry. A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the number of lipoprotein particles in a sample using photometry.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to predict the risk of CHD and/or clinical manifestations of CHD in a subject. In one embodiment, the method involves measuring the levels or concentration of apo A1, a subclass of HDL, HDL3, or a combination of the foregoing. The methods of the present disclosure are particularly useful when the subject has reached target levels of one or more lipoproteins, such as, but not limited to, LDL or HDL or subclass of the foregoing.

Abstract: Although a more accurate estimate of a person's risk of cardiovascular disease can be made on the basis of the number of lipoprotein particles per unit volume in the person's blood, current methods all rely on measuring the mass of lipoprotein cholesterol per unit volume. It has been discovered that a rapid and accurate lipoprotein particle count can be obtained by photometry. A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the number of lipoprotein particles in a sample using photometry.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring apolipoprotein B100 (apo B) during the cholesterol subclass measurement process is provided which obviates the need for a separate apo B test.