Establishing an Independent Voice in Medicine: The First Year of the Journal of Independent Medicine

Matthew Halma, Joseph Varon

This editorial reflects on the Journal of Independent Medicine’s inaugural year, highlighting its growth, commitment to patient-centered inquiry and transparency, and plans for future special issues and continued critical dialogue.

A Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating a Polyherbal Combination for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Matthew Halma, Sidra Hassaan, Jessica Rodriguez, Joseph Varon

This prospective clinical trial protocol proposes evaluating a polyherbal nutraceutical combination as an adjunct treatment for opioid use disorder, outlining the trial design and discussing the opioid crisis and rationale for integrating herbal medicine.

Pre-Existing Immunity to COVID-19: Overview and Implications – Part 2

Rachel Nicoll

Part two of this review explores how exposure to other viruses, parasites and the microbiome influences pre-existing immunity to COVID-19, examining cross-reactivity, protective mechanisms and the role of commensal bacteria.

RNA:DNA Hybrids Survive Digestion in mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing

Kevin McKernan, Charles Rixey, Jessica Rose

This study analyzes residual DNA contamination in mRNA vaccines and shows that RNA:DNA hybrids resist DNase digestion during manufacturing, urging improved quality-control assays to quantify and reduce DNA impurities.

Creatinine-Guided Furosemide Therapy: A Pathophysiological Framework for Precision Diuretic Use in Critically Ill Patients

Santiago M. Herrero

This review proposes a physiology-based dosing framework for furosemide therapy in critically ill patients, using serum creatinine as a surrogate to guide individualized diuretic dosing and improve safety and efficacy.

The Myth of the ‘Correct’ Sample Size: Why Formula-Based Justification Misleads Researchers and Reviewers

(Errors and simulations that benefit no one and harm many, depriving them of time and energy)

L. Prieto-Faliente, C. Carezo Diaz, C. Morin-Barcena

This educational essay contends that formula-based sample-size calculations often mislead researchers and reviewers, arguing that multiple sample sizes can be valid and advocating pragmatic, resource-driven approaches over rigid numeric formulas.

Impact of Acquired Hypernatremia in the ICU on Mortality in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Analysis from the NIS Database

Edgar Selemi, Jose Iglesias, Matthew Hulma, Joseph Varon

This original study uses data from the National Inpatient Sample to evaluate how ICU-acquired hypernatremia affects mortality and length of stay in patients with acute respiratory failure, identifying higher mortality and comorbidity-specific risks.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Patient Fecal Samples by Whole Genome Sequencing

Andreas Papoutsis, Thomas Borody, Siba Dolat, Jordan Daniels, Skylar Steinberg, Brad Barrows, Sabine Hazan

This study employs whole-genome sequencing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in fecal samples from COVID-19 patients, demonstrating 100% concordance with nasopharyngeal RT-PCR and highlighting the potential for fecal-oral transmission.

Referendum on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: Between False Autonomy, Systemic Withdrawal of Treatment, and Economic Pressure

Letter from Slovenia

Andraž Teršek

This letter from Slovenia critiques the 2025 referendum on euthanasia and assisted suicide, arguing that economic pressures and systemic withdrawal of treatment distort genuine autonomy and threaten the role of curative care.

Diagnostic Neutrality or Sociopolitical Conformity? The Depathologisation of Gender Dysphoria and Gender Incongruence in the DSM and ICD

Max Thompson, Andrew J. Amos

This commentary examines how the depathologisation of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence in the DSM and ICD reflects sociopolitical advocacy rather than empirical evidence, critiquing the impact of activism on psychiatric diagnostic standards.