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Pernicious Anemia: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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Overview and Pathophysiology Pernicious anemia is a chronic autoimmune disorder that results in vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency due to impaired absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The condition develops when the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies against intrinsic factor or against the gastric parietal cells responsible for intrinsic factor production. Without sufficient intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 cannot be properly absorbed in the terminal ileum of the small intestine. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and maintenance of the nervous system. When absorption is impaired, progressive hematologic and neurological complications may occur. What Causes Pernicious Anemia? Under normal physiological conditions, dietary vitamin B12 is released from food in the stomach and binds to intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells in the gastric mucosa. The intrinsic factor–B12 complex then travels to the terminal il...
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A Warning to the World: Child Abuse Is a Threat to Humanity’s Future

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If humanity does not want to erase its own future, child abuse must end now. There can be no compromise, no tolerance, and no delay. Those who abuse children must be permanently prevented from ever harming a child again through the strongest possible legal and protective measures. Those who support, enable, conceal, or excuse child abuse must also be held fully accountable, because silence and complicity allow abuse to continue. Child abuse destroys developing bodies and brains. It causes permanent physical damage, neurological injury, and severe psychological trauma. It increases the risk of chronic illness, mental disorders, and premature death. The effects do not end with one victim—they propagate across generations through lasting biological changes, trauma, and learned patterns of harm. A society that fails to protect its children undermines its own survival. Ending child abuse is not optional. It is an absolute moral, biological, and civilizational necessity...
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Beriberi Disease: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency

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Introduction Beriberi is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by a severe and prolonged deficiency of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine. Thiamine is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a fundamental role in energy metabolism, nerve function, and cardiovascular health. Without sufficient thiamine, the body cannot efficiently convert carbohydrates into energy, and critical organs such as the brain, nerves, and heart begin to malfunction. The name “beriberi” originates from the Sinhalese language and means “I cannot, I cannot,” reflecting the profound weakness experienced by affected individuals. Although beriberi is uncommon in developed countries due to food fortification and improved nutrition, it remains a significant health problem in populations with malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, or certain medical conditions that impair nutrient absorption. Beriberi can develop rapidly, sometimes within as little as two to three weeks of severely reduced thiam...
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