According to research published online in Nature Biotechnology earlier this week, enzymes from two bacteria, Elizabethkingia meningosepticum and Bacteroides fragilis, can be used, in small amounts, to remove A and B antigens from human blood. In effect, the removal of these antigens results in converting A, B, and AB blood groups to group O, which lacks these antigens and thus can be used universally in blood transfusions. If further safety tests prove successful, the conversion process could help overcome what seem to be perpetual shortages in the blood supply.
The disciplinary basis of the DDC is evident in the classification of blood-related subjects. Blood groups, a biological/biochemical concept, are classed in 573.154 Biochemistry of circulatory fluids, built by adding 4 Biochemistry from the add table at 573 to 573.15 Circulatory fluids. Blood types, when limited to human beings, are classed in 612.11825 Blood types and typing.
Blood banks and blood donation agencies (for example, the National Blood Service in England and North Wales, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and the South African National Blood Service) are found at 362.1784 Blood and blood plasma banks alongside other social services.
Blood transfusions, while a
medical procedure, are found in an including note at 615.39 Human blood products and their substitutes. This stems from several factors operative in the scheme: First, DDC keeps blood and blood substitutes together; second, blood substitutes are an organic drug under 615 Pharmacology and therapeutics; third, as noted under 615.58 Drug therapy and 615.6 Methods of administering drugs, therapeutics and the administration of specific drugs class with the drugs in 615.2-615.3.
Comments