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)

Volume 2, No 1

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.

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

Volume 2, No 1

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.

RNA:DNA Hybrids Survive Digestion in mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing

Volume 2, No 1

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.

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

Volume 2, No 1

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.

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

Volume 2, No 1

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.

Preventing Cancer: The ROOT Protocols

Volume 1, No 4

Paul Marik, Justus Hope

In 2022, approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer deaths occurred worldwide. By 2050, new cases are projected to double, driven by population growth, aging, and increased exposure to risk factors. Up to 40% of cancers may be preventable by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. Numerous nutraceuticals and repurposed drugs exhibit chemoprophylactic properties.

Considering the Safety of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Aneuploidy

Volume 1, No 4

Martin J. McCaffrey

The advent of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines heralds a transformation in the world of immunization. The use of mRNA to stimulate antigenic foreign protein synthesis by host cells, which triggers an immune reaction that repels future true infection, has been theorized for decades. The COVID-19 vaccines represent the first mass deployment of this genetic technology. Using modified mRNA sequences for the COVID-19 spike protein, delivered in a lipid nanoparticle vehicle, injection with the COVID-19 vaccine is intended to recruit host cells that manufacture the spike protein and generate an immune response that protects against future infection.

A Holistic Approach to Improve Metabolic Health: A Practical Review

Volume 1, No 4

Pei Harris, Joseph Varon

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) poses a significant health risk in developed countries like the United States, linked to poor diet, inactivity, aging, and genetic factors. It increases the likelihood of serious health issues, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and cognitive impairment.

Beyond the Dead Donor Rule: Medicine, Ethics, and the Future of Organ Procurement

Volume 1, No 4

Joseph Varon, Matthew Halma

Organ transplantation, one of the most remarkable achievements of modern medicine, is deeply rooted in definitions of death that are both medically complex and ethically contested. This narrative review explores how brain death and the dead donor rule (DDR) have shaped the practice of organ procurement, while also highlighting persistent controversies that continue to challenge clinicians, policymakers, and ethicists. Through a review of 56 peer-reviewed publications, we examine the variability in brain death determination, advances in donor management, and the promising emergence of Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death (DCDD).

Vaccine-Induced Viral Reactivation and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review, Hypothesis, and Implications

Volume 1, No 4

Matthew Cormier

Understanding the origins of autism spectrum disorder is imperative given its increasing prevalence and significant global impact. This review examines existing research on the role of viral infections in the etiology of autism and scrutinizes emerging data on post-vaccination viral reactivation. It introduces a novel hypothesis that vaccines may inadvertently reactivate latent viral infections, triggering the onset or exacerbation of autism. Through a comprehensive literature review across multiple medical databases, this review analyzed studies, case reports, and observational research focusing on viral infections, post-vaccination viral reactivation, and autism. This search yielded 13 studies implicating viral infections and viral encephalitis as potential causal factors in the development of autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, 17 studies were identified, suggesting an association of viral reactivation following vaccination. This connection raises important questions about the role of vaccines in the onset of autism. The findings advocate for continued vigilance in vaccine safety research, particularly concerning neurodevelopmental disorders.