Molecular assay for screening and quantifying DNA in biological evidence: the modified Q-TAT assay.

A method is described for the quantitation of total human and male DNA. Q-TAT utilizes end-point, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the amelogenin and SRY loci to quantify DNA and incorporates a cloned nonhuman template to detect PCR inhibition. Standard curves of fluorescence from amelogenin or SRY amplicons were generated from amplification of known amounts of NIST traceable SRM-female or SRM-male DNA.

Protective athletic mouthguards: do they cause harm?

Background: Protective athletic mouthguards (PAMs) have been worn in competitive sports for more than 100 years. Today, participants in contact and noncontact sports wear PAMs.

Hypothesis: Wearing a PAM produces oral injury.