The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods using IL-6 antagonists such as anti-IL-6 antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat mucositis including persons on a treatment regimen with a drug or chemotherapy andor radiation for cancer that is associated with increased risk of mucositis, including oral mucositis. Here, because the substrate of an integrated circuit carrying the sensor is used as a visible light filter, reflection of IR radiation back into the substrate can affect the operation and reliability of the IR sensor. The fiber optic cable casing structure then acts as a reaction chamber so that the additive which has been introduced during the fiber optic cable assembly process will react with the optical fibers so as to occupy defect site locations in the optical fibers. This places the counterweights as far forwardly as possible which is useful when balancing the weight of a rear mounted accessory. The heat shield may extend axially within the exhaust gas channel and radially between the annular body and an exhaust gas flow within the exhaust gas channel to limit an amount of heat transferred from the exhaust gas to the annular body.