Identifying potential kidney donors using social networking web sites.

Social networking sites like Facebook may be a powerful tool for increasing rates of live kidney donation. They allow for wide dissemination of information and discussion and could lessen anxiety associated with a face-to-face request for donation. However, sparse data exist on the use of social media for this purpose.

Transplant tourism--a dangerous journey?

Introduction: While the ethical aspects of transplant tourism have received much attention recently, less has been written about the medical safety of this practice. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients who purchased organs internationally and presented to our center for follow-up care.

Methods: Baseline demographic characteristics were recorded.

Treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy with the herb Astragalus membranaceus.

A 77-year-old woman with nephrotic syndrome secondary to idiopathic membranous nephropathy was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, cyclosporine A, and mycophenolate mofetil, without response. After more than 2 years of unremitting nephrosis, she began therapy with the herb Astragalus membranaceus, used by traditional Chinese physicians to treat various immune disorders, including glomerulonephritis. After institution of Astragalus at a dose of 15 g/d, there was a marked decrease in proteinuria.