Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in treatment of patients with autoantibody positive disease. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating a patient that has an ANA titer of 1:80 or greater and/or greater than or equal to 30 IU/ml of anti-dsDNA antibodies in his/her blood plasma or serum comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunomodulatory agent, such as an antagonist of Neutrokine-alpha. Additionally provided is a method of reducing the frequency and/or quantity of corticosteroid administration to patients. In preferred embodiments, the patient has systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods for determining if a lupus patient is responding to medical treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprises a plurality of filling stations each including a container platform which is raised and lowered by a cam controlled elevating mechanism, for providing bottom-up filling; a cam-controlled pumping mechanism operating a piston pump for drawing fluid into the pump during a charge cycle, and pushing the fluid out of the pump during a discharge cycle; and an adjustable crank lever mechanism is included in the cam controlled pumping mechanism for providing adjustment of the volume of fluid being pumped. Operating in common with the filling stations are a pair of cams for operating the valves of each station, and in combination with each cam-controlled pumping mechanism provide greater than 180.degree. of machine time for continuously filling a container during the discharge cycle for each station.

Abstract: A piston pump mechanism includes a plunger head slideably mounted within a cylindrical sleeve member. The plunger head has an upper portion forming a shoulder and a reduced lower portion around which an inner ring of resilient material is mounted. An outer ring of resilient material, such as tetrafluroethylene, for example, is mounted around the inner ring. A piston rod has an end coupled to the transverse face of the reduced portion of the plunger head in such manner to provide axial adjustment therebetween, and a pressure cap is mounted upon this end. The pressure cap has a cylindrical like peripheral rim for applying a progressively greater axial force against the inner ring, causing the inner ring of material to apply a progressively greater radial force against the outer ring, as the piston rod and cap assembly are axially adjusted toward the plunger head, until the outer ring of material seals against the interior wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A piston pump comprising a cylindrical sleeve member, a tetrafluoroethylene plunger head contained within the sleeve member, at least one O-ring contained within a circular recess concentric with and extending axially from the lower transverse face of and into the plunger head, and a piston rod having one end concentric with and rigidly mounted to this lower transverse face. Also, a pressure cap having a cylindrical uppermost portion dimensioned to fit into the circular recess of the plunger head, is adjustably mounted upon the piston rod, for axially compressing the O-ring(s), causing the O-ring(s) to exert a radial force against and effect a seal of a portion of the circular side walls of the plunger head against the opposing interior wall of the sleeve.