Abstract: Human ?2-antiplasmin (?2AP) is the major inhibitor of the proteolytic enzyme plasmin that digests fibrin. Two forms of ?2AP circulate in human plasma: a 464-residue protein, which we have termed “pro”-form, or ?2APpro, and an N-terminally-shortened 452-residue “activated”-form, or ?2APact. The latter becomes crosslinked to fibrin by activated factor XIII about 5-fold more rapidly than ?2APpro and makes fibrin resistant to digestion by plasmin. A new human plasma proteinase has been identified herein that cleaves the Pro12-Asn13 bond of ?2APpro to yield ?2APact. This enzyme is identified herein as Antiplasmin Cleaving Enzyme (APCE).

Abstract: Human &agr;2-antiplasmin (&agr;2AP) is the major inhibitor of the proteolytic enzyme plasmin that digests fibrin. Two forms of &agr;2AP circulate in human plasma: a 464-residue protein, which we have termed “pro”-form, or &agr;2APpro, and an N-terminally-shortened 452-residue “activated”-form, or &agr;2APact. The latter becomes crosslinked to fibrin by activated factor XIII about 5-fold more rapidly than &agr;2APpro and makes fibrin resistant to digestion by plasmin. A new human plasma proteinase has been identified herein that cleaves the Pro12-Asn13 bond of &agr;2APpro to yield &agr;2APact. This enzyme is identified herein as Antiplasmin Cleaving Enzyme (APCE).

Abstract: In apparatus for separating the components of a mixture, the mixture is admitted to a first inlet which communicates with a working region which may be defined by a cylindrical tube. A fluid under pressure is admitted to a chamber through a second inlet. The chamber also communicates with the working region. The fluid forms a spiralling flow which draws the mixture into the working region in the form of a vortex. In the apparatus, the chamber communicates with the working region by way of a throat, and the mixture is conveyed from the working region along an outlet.