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Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease targeting the exocrine glands resulting in xerostomia/keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Presently, we examined the levels and clinical correlations of IL-22 in SS. Patients with SS together with normal controls were randomly selected. IL-22 was detected at significantly higher levels in sera of patients with SS. The levels of IL-22 present in sera showed statistically significant direct correlations with hyposalivation, anti-SSB, anti-SSA/SSB combined, hypergammaglobulinemia and rheumatoid factor. IL-22 showed a direct correlation with major clinical parameters. The data suggest that IL-22 plays a critical role in the development of SS, and further study is needed to examine its function in human SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forward, backward, and combined forward-backward masking of a 1-msec click by noise bursts were examined for N0S0 and N0Sπ stimulus configurations. The silent interval between the noise masker and the click ranged from 0 to 30 msec for forward and backward masking conditions. For combined forward-backward masking, the silent interval between the two noise maskers ranged from 1 to 60 msec, and the click was positioned at various points within this interval. The results, which were consistent with previous reports, indicated that masking level difference (MLDs) are obtained for both forward and backward masking. The largest MLDs were obtained in the combined forward-backward masking conditions. In both the N0S0 and N0Sπ stimulus configuration, the amount of masking in the combined forward-backward masking conditions varied as much as 10 dB as the click was moved within the intermasker interval. The results of this study are compared with data from investigations of masking with forward and backward fringes. In addition, the results are discussed in terms of the additivity of forward and backward masking. [These experiments were conducted with support from National Institute of Health (NIH) Program Project Grant, an NIH training Grant, and an NIH Research Grant.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]