PP2ARts1 antagonizes Rck2-mediated hyperosmotic stress signaling in yeast.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, impairment of protein phosphatase PP2ARts1 leads to temperature and hyperosmotic stress sensitivity, yet the underlying mechanism and the scope of action of the phosphatase in the stress response remain elusive. Using a quantitative mass spectrometry-based approach we have identified a set of putative substrate proteins that show both hyperosmotic stress- and PP2ARts1-dependent changes in their phosphorylation pattern. A comparative analysis with published MS-shotgun data revealed that the phosphorylation status of many of these sites is regulated by the MAPKAP kinase Rck2, suggesting that the phosphatase antagonizes Rck2 signaling. Detailed gel mobility shift assays and protein-protein interaction analysis strongly indicate that Rck2 activity is directly regulated by PP2ARts1 via a SLiM B56-family interaction motif, revealing how PP2ARts1 influences the response to hyperosmotic stress in Yeast.

Hormone profiles, body mass index and aging male symptoms: results of the Androx Vienna Municipality study.

Aging in the male is accompanied by steroid hormonal decline, and men may develop symptoms associated with hypogonadism. Increased awareness of 'andropause' in recent years has led to greater demand for hormonal assessments, resulting in a rising burden for health economics. We conducted a cross-sectional study to define men at risk for hypogonadism, in whom further hormonal investigation should be performed. We examined 664 blue-collar workers aged 40-60 years at their workplace and determined hormonal status and body mass index (BMI). Men with an abnormal urogenital status and those on medication that might affect endocrine status were excluded from the study. All participants completed the validated Aging Male Symptom (AMS) questionnaire and obtained scores for psychological symptoms, somatovegetative symptoms, and sexual symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a significantly increased risk (represented by the odds ratio) of psychological symptoms for men with low levels of testosterone and/or bioavailable testosterone (BAT). Increased BMI as well as low testosterone levels and/or low BAT levels raised the risk of somatovegetative symptoms. Each decrease of BAT by 1 ng/ml caused an approximately 1.8-fold increase of the risk (odds ratio = 1.832, p = 0.005). Additional independent risk factors were increased age and low luteinizing hormone (LH) level. Men aged 55 years with BMI > 28 kg/m2 and with somatovegetative symptoms and moderate or severe psychological symptoms had a 7.2-fold increase in the risk of a BAT level < 1.5 ng/ml compared to men without these risk factors (p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 71%, respectively. The AMS score combined with age and BMI provides an easy and convenient method to identify men with probable androgen deficiency who require hormonal assessment.

Dehydroepiandrosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with different organic etiologies.

In 1994 the Massachusetts Male Aging Study described an inverse correlation of the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED). The positive results of a pilot study in the treatment in patients with no organic etiology prompted a detailed investigation on the efficacy of DHEA therapy for ED in patients with different organic etiologies, in a prospective study. The inclusion criteria included ED, a normal physical condition, normal serum levels of testosterone, prolactin and PSA and a serum DHEAS level < 1.5 micromol/l. The study patients comprised 27 patients (group 1) with hypertension, 24 patients (group 2) with diabetes mellitus, six patients with neurological disorders (group 3) and 28 patients (group 4) with no organic etiology were treated with 50 mg DHEA p.o. for 6 months. We assessed efficacy by using the responses to question 3 (frequency of penetration) and question 4 (maintenance of erections after penetration) of the 15-question International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). DHEA treatment was associated with statistically significantly higher mean scores compared to baseline values for question 3 and question 4 of the IIEF in groups 1 and 4 after a period of 24 weeks. The differences between the mean scores of groups 2 and 3 and the baseline values were not statistically significant. Our results suggest that oral DHEA-treatment may be of benefit to patients with ED who have hypertension or to patients with ED without organic etiology. There was no impact of DHEA therapy on patients with diabetes mellitus or with neurological disorders.

Molecular genetics of nucleotide sugar interconversion pathways in plants.

Nucleotide sugar interconversion pathways represent a series of enzymatic reactions by which plants synthesize activated monosaccharides for the incorporation into cell wall material. Although biochemical aspects of these metabolic pathways are reasonably well understood, the identification and characterization of genes encoding nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes is still in its infancy. Arabidopsis mutants defective in the activation and interconversion of specific monosaccharides have recently become available, and several genes in these pathways have been cloned and characterized. The sequence determination of the entire Arabidopsis genome offers a unique opportunity to identify candidate genes encoding nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes via sequence comparisons to bacterial homologues. An evaluation of the Arabidopsis databases suggests that the majority of these enzymes are encoded by small gene families, and that most of these coding regions are transcribed. Although most of the putative proteins are predicted to be soluble, others contain N-terminal extensions encompassing a transmembrane domain. This suggests that some nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes are targeted to an endomembrane system, such as the Golgi apparatus, where they may co-localize with glycosyltransferases in cell wall synthesis. The functions of the predicted coding regions can most likely be established via reverse genetic approaches and the expression of proteins in heterologous systems. The genetic characterization of nucleotide sugar interconversion enzymes has the potential to understand the regulation of these complex metabolic pathways and to permit the modification of cell wall material by changing the availability of monosaccharide precursors.

[Value of ultrasound in microlithiasis of the testis in andrological patients]. / Die Bedeutung des Ultraschalls bei Mikrolithiasis des Hodens von andrologischen Patienten.

PURPOSE: The objective of this retrospective study is to show the importance of sonography in andrological patients with testicular microlithiasis (TM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1314 male patients were seen to our andrological clinic in the course of one year. The age range of these patients was 25 to 39 years (mean age 32 years). All patients underwent testicular sonography as well as a sperm-analysis. RESULTS: 284 patients showed normozoospermia without any evidence of TM. Of the remaining 1030 patients with a pathological spermiogram, 8 were shown to display more than 10 echogenic foci per transducer field in both tests. 1 patient suffering from an already palpable testicular tumor only showed, unilateral, unifocal calcification. Another patient who had suffered from a maldescensus testicle in his early childhood discharged only one unifocal calcification. Tumor markers including AFP and beta-HCG were normal in 9 patients, but elevated in 1 patient suffering from a testicular tumor (AFP: 73 kU/l; beta-HCG: 10.6 U/l). The hormonal status was normal in 6 patients and pathological 4 patients with the diagnosis of OAT-syndrome. CONCLUSION: TM is a rare condition even in andrological patients. Nevertheless, a thorough scrotal sonography is mandatory in order to rule out testicular malignancy.

Spontaneous erections in a patient with erectile dysfunction after palliative chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem, especially among older men. It is often caused by psychological problems, and is also the reason for pronounced impairment of psychosocial well-being. Many systemic diseases, genitourinary surgery, drugs, particularly antihypertensive and psychotropic drugs, and also chemotherapeutic agents and dexamethasone are attributed as being causes of erectile dysfunction. In our case, severe erectile dysfunction was present for 8 months before non-small cell lung cancer was diagnosed. Normal sexual function, observed for a short period immediately following chemotherapy, is a highly unusual finding and has not been published before. Chemotherapeutic agents have repeatedly been shown to result in cessation of sexual function including erection. While we cannot offer a definite explanation for our findings, undefined paraneoplastic processes leading to erectile dysfunction amenable to successful cytotoxic intervention could be a possible explanation for our observation.

One of two tandem Arabidopsis genes homologous to monosaccharide transporters is senescence-associated.

A gene designated SFP1, which is similar to major facilitator superfamily monosaccharide transporters, is induced during leaf senescence. Genomic sequence analysis identified a second highly similar and closely linked gene, SFP2, suggesting that SFP1 and SFP2 may have arisen through a recent duplication event. However, RNA gel-blot analyses and histochemical localization of a reporter gene activity in transgenic plants show that SFP1 and SFP2 are differentially regulated and that only SFP1 is induced during leaf senescence. The increase in SFP1 gene expression during leaf senescence is paralleled by an accumulation of monosaccharides. Possible roles for SFP1 in sugar transport during leaf senescence are discussed.

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis with urinary bladder involvement.

von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant transmitted disease with 100% penetrance but variable phenotypic expression. The incidence of this systemic disease is 1 in 3000 live births; however, genitourinary manifestations are rare. We report on our management of 1 case during the past 16 years.

Twelve-year experience with two courses of adjuvant single-agent carboplatin therapy for clinical stage I seminoma.

PURPOSE: During the past 30 years, radiation therapy with 28 to 30 Gy for para-aortic and ipsilateral iliac node areas was the standard adjuvant treatment for clinical stage I seminoma after orchiectomy. However, late effects of radiotherapy prompted a search for alternative adjuvant treatment approaches, including surveillance and application of carboplatin. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of two adjuvant single-agent carboplatin courses in 107 patients who were diagnosed with clinical stage I seminoma at our study centers between 1988 and 1999. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 107 patients (median age, 39 years; range, 24 to 63 years) received two postoperative adjuvant cycles of carboplatin (400 mg/m(2)). The pathologic tumor stage was pT1 in 84 patients, pT2 in 18 patients, and pT3 in five patients. Whole blood count and serum chemistry were evaluated weekly during treatment to assess hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. RESULTS: Six patients died from tumor-unrelated causes. The remaining 101 patients are currently alive and free of disease after a median follow-up of 74 months (range, 5 to 145 months). A detailed analysis of hematologic toxicity showed only World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 leukocytopenia in 10.7% of all cycles and WHO grade 2 leukocytopenia in 2.1% of all cycles. CONCLUSION: Regarding the absence of tumor recurrences in our retrospective analysis and the favorable toxicity profile with no episodes of long-term toxicity, we suggest that two adjuvant courses of single-agent carboplatin for clinical stage I seminoma patients might be equivalent to radiotherapy.

Fumaric acid: an overlooked form of fixed carbon in Arabidopsis and other plant species.

Photoassimilates are used by plants for production of energy, as carbon skeletons and in transport of fixed carbon between different plant organs. Many studies have been devoted to characterizing the factors that regulate photoassimilate concentrations in different plant species. Most studies examining photoassimilate concentrations in C3 plants have focused on analyzing starch and soluble sugars. However, work presented here demonstrates that a number of C3 plants, including the popular model organism Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., and agriculturally important plants, such as soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., contain significant quantities of fumaric acid. In fact, fumaric acid can accumulate to levels of several milligrams per gram fresh weight in Arabidopsis leaves, often exceeding those of starch and soluble sugars. Fumaric acid is a component of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and, like starch and soluble sugars, can be metabolized to yield energy and carbon skeletons for production of other compounds. Fumaric acid concentrations increase with plant age and light intensity in Arabidopsis leaves. Moreover, Arabidopsis phloem exudates contain significant quantities of fumaric acid, raising the possibility that fumaric acid may function in carbon transport.

Endocrine patterns in patients with benign and malignant prostatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The known importance of the endocrine system, particularly of steroid hormones, for development of the prostate gland and the fact that steroid hormones act as immunmodulators prompted us to compare hypophyseal, adrenal, and gonadal hormones, including cortisol, in patients with benign and malignant prostatic diseases. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer (PC) (n = 75) and, as a control population, those with untreated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 159) entered this prospective study. In all patients, the following parameters were obtained by serum analysis: prostate-specific antigen (PSA), human luteinizing hormone (hLH), human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH), testosterone, estradiol (E2), cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S). Serum samples were collected of fasting patients between 7. 30-10.00 AM. RESULTS: Age was comparable in both groups (PC: 65.6 +/- 7.6 years (mean +/- standard deviation) vs. controls: 64.9 +/- 8. 1 years; P = 0.56). HFSH (PC: 6.6 +/- 3.9 mIU/ml; controls: 8.4 +/- 6.4 mIU/ml; P = 0.04), hLH (PC: 5.3 +/- 4.8mIU/ml; controls: 7.6 +/- 6.2 mIU/ml; P = 0.009), and estradiol (PC: 25.8 +/- 12.7 pg/ml; controls: 32.6 +/- 12.6 pg/ml; P = 0.0003) were significantly lower in PC patients than controls. Cortisol (PC: 16.7 +/- 4.2 microg/dl; controls: 13.5 +/- 4.3 microg/dl; P < 0.0001) was significantly higher in cases. The difference for cortisol and estradiol concentrations between PC patients and controls held true in all life-decades. Serum concentrations for DHEA-S and testosterone were comparable between PC and control patients. In PC patients, none of the endocrine parameters correlated to serum PSA or clinical/pathological stage. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with newly diagnosed, untreated PC yielded significantly higher cortisol and lower estradiol serum concentrations than controls. The known effect of cortisol on the immune status warrants further studies.

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in men with erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: In 1994, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study presented the finding of an inverse correlation of the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Prompted by the positive results of a pilot study on the treatment of ED with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), we performed a detailed investigation on the serum DHEAS levels in men with ED according to age category. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included a history of ED for more than 6 months, a body mass index less than 30, and a state of good general health. Serum DHEAS concentrations were determined in 309 patients with ED and 133 healthy volunteers. All participants were carefully screened to assess medical factors known or suspected to alter endocrine function. Questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function were used to evaluate erectile function. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of DHEAS in patients with ED were lower than in healthy volunteers until 60 years of age. The shape of the curve of the patients with ED indicated a quadratic decrease of DHEAS with age in contrast to a more linear decrease of DHEAS with age in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that until the age of 60 years, the mean serum level of DHEAS is lower in patients with ED than in healthy volunteers.

A bifunctional epimerase-reductase acts downstream of the MUR1 gene product and completes the de novo synthesis of GDP-L-fucose in Arabidopsis.

L-Fucose is a monosaccharide found as a component of glycoproteins and cell wall polysaccharides in higher plants. The MUR1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a GDP-D-mannose 4,6-dehydratase catalyzing the first step in the de novo synthesis of GDP-L-fucose from GDP-D-mannose (Bonin et al. 1997, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 94, 2085-2090). Plant genes encoding the subsequent steps in L-fucose synthesis (3,5-epimerization and 4-reduction) have not been described previously. Based on sequence similarities to a bacterial gene involved in capsule synthesis we have cloned a gene from Arabidopsis, now designated GER1, which encodes a bifunctional 3, 5-epimerase-4-reductase in L-fucose synthesis. The combined action of the MUR1 and GER1 gene products converts GDP-D-mannose to GDP-L-fucose in vitro demonstrating that this entire nucleotide-sugar interconversion pathway could be reconstituted using plant genes expressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro assays indicated that the GER1 protein does not act as a GDP-D-mannose 3, 5-epimerase, an enzymatic activity involved in the de novo synthesis of GDP-L-galactose and L-ascorbic acid. Similarly, L-ascorbate levels in GER1 antisense plants were unchanged indicating that GDP-D-mannose 3,5-epimerase is encoded by a separate gene.

Multivariate analysis of the prognostic value of CEA and CA 19-9 serum levels in colorectal cancer.

UNLABELLED: Carcinoembrionic Antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are the most commonly used tumor-associated antigens in the management of patients with colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum levels of CEA and/or CA 19-9 and the classical prognostic factors (age, sex, tumor infiltration and staging) in 495 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study was performed on frozen sera (stored at -70 degrees C) of patients with histologically proven colorectal cancer. Survival function estimates were calculated (Kaplan-Meier). The patients were separated into two groups according to the preoperative marker levels. Cut-off levels calculated at a specificity of 100% versus healthy individuals were used: < 4 ng/mL versus > or = 4 ng/mL for CEA and < 60 U/mL versus > or = 60 U/mL for CA 19-9. Survival curve differences were assessed using the log-rank-test. Mulivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to examine the association between tumor marker levels and survival time. Classical prognostic factors such as age, sex, tumor infiltration, tumor stage (Dukes' classification) were included as covariants. The mantel-Haenszel method was used to assess the survival rate of patients with colorectal carcinoma and high versus low levels of tumor-associated antigens according to tumor stages. RESULTS: The Dukes' stages (log-rank chi-square = 231.9; p < 0.0001) represent the best prognostic factor besides the preoperative values of CA 19-9 (log-rank chi-square = 162.5). CEA shows a log-rank chi-square of 71.4. Thus, CEA and CA 19-9 can be used to discriminate two groups of patients with significantly different survival times (p < 0.0001). The importance of different parameters in providing additional prognostic information was evaluated by multivariate analysis. Only items of statistically significant prognostic relevance (univariate analysis) were used for this analysis. Estimated relative risks of death adjusted for tumor stage were 5.5 considering Dukes' stage A versus Dukes' stage B/C and Dukes' stage B/C versus Dukes' stage D, respectively, and an increasing relative risk of 27.5 for Dukes' stage A versus Dukes' stage D (p < 0.001). The relative risk for preoperative CA 19-9 serum concentrations (> or = 60 U/mL versus < 60 U/mL) was 2.3 (p < 0.001) and for preoperative CEA concentrations (> or = 4 ng/mL versus < 4 ng/mL) 1.4 (p < 0.07). For CEA the 2-year survival rates in the group of patients with preoperative serum concentrations > 4 ng/mL versus < 4 ng/mL and Dukes' stage D were 16% versus 38%, in Dukes' stage B/C 73% versus 91% and in Dukes' stage A 100% versus 98%. For CA 19-9 the 2-year survival rates in the group of patients with preoperative serum concentrations > or = 60 U/mL versus < 60 U/mL and Dukes' stage D were 10% versus 39%, whilst in Dukes' stage B/C 58% versus 87%. In the group of patients with Dukes' stage A with serum levels > or = 60 U/mL a 2-years survival rate of 100% was found. CONCLUSION: The postoperative Dukes' classification represents the best prognostic information besides the preoperative values of CA 19-9. The predictive information provided by preoperative CA 19-9 serum levels is independent from that obtained by the other factors investigated. Only Dukes' classification and CA 19-9 levels showed statistical significance (p < 0.001).

Effect of pre-emptive hydromorphone administration on postoperative pain relief--a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY: Pre-emptive analgesia represents a treatment strategy which tries to prevent the development of pain by inhibiting central reactions to peripheral sensory stimuli. In a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, the effect of oral premedication with 4 mg of a slow-release hydromorphone preparation on postoperative piritramide consumption and subjective pain perception is being evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 96 women undergoing hysterectomy were randomly assigned to four study groups. Patients from groups 1 and 2 received hydromorphone and placebo respectively two hours before surgery, while those from groups 3 and 4 were given the same substances one hour after the end of the operation. Postoperative pain relief was provided by a patient-controlled infusion pump with piritramide. The intensity of postoperative pain as perceived by the patients was quantified on a visual analogue scale. Piritramide consumption and pain scores were recorded at 1 and 24 hours after surgery. Approval of the local Ethics Committee had been obtained beforehand as well as written informed consent from the patients. RESULTS: No significant differences in piritramide consumption were observed in between the four study groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings at 1 and 24 hours after surgery did not show any significant differences either--irrespective of whether the patients had received hydromorphone or placebo preoperatively or postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In our study, oral administration of 4 mg of slow-release hydromorphone did not show any greater pre-emptive analgesic effect than placebo.

The mur4 mutant of arabidopsis is partially defective in the de novo synthesis of uridine diphospho L-arabinose.

To obtain information on the synthesis and function of arabinosylated glycans, the mur4 mutant of Arabidopsis was characterized. This mutation leads to a 50% reduction in the monosaccharide L-arabinose in most organs and affects arabinose-containing pectic cell wall polysaccharides and arabinogalactan proteins. Feeding L-arabinose to mur4 plants restores the cell wall composition to wild-type levels, suggesting a partial defect in the de novo synthesis of UDP-L-arabinose, the activated sugar used by arabinosyltransferases. The defect was traced to the conversion of UDP-D-xylose to UDP-L-arabinose in the microsome fraction of leaf material, indicating that mur4 plants are defective in a membrane-bound UDP-D-xylose 4-epimerase.

Ambient pH signal transduction in Aspergillus: completion of gene characterization.

Completing the molecular analysis of the six pal genes of the ambient pH signal transduction pathway in Aspergillus nidulans, we report the characterization of palC and palH. The derived translation product of palH contains 760 amino acids with prediction of seven transmembrane domains in its N-terminal moiety. Remarkably, a palH frameshift mutant lacking just over half the PalH protein, including almost all of the long hydrophilic region C-terminal to the transmembrane domains, retains some PalH function. The palC-derived translation product contains 507 amino acids, and the null phenotype of a frameshift mutation indicates that at least one of the C-terminal 142 residues is essential for function. Uniquely among the A. nidulans pH-signalling pal genes, palC appears to have no Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue, although it does have a Neurospora crassa expressed sequence tag homologue. In agreement with findings for the palA, palB and palI genes of this signalling pathway, levels of the palC and palH mRNAs do not appear to be pH regulated.

CA 242 in comparison with established tumour markers in colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancer.

In a prospective study (N = 566) we investigated the tumour associated carbohydrate-protein CA 242, focusing on the question whether CA 242 (CaNAG, Sweden) expression in carcinoma patients is distinctly higher than in benign disorders, especially when compared to CA 19-9 (EIA Roche Germany). A second point of interest was if CA 242 is expressed to a higher extent in early stages of colorectal cancer than CEA (MEIA Abbott, USA) and CA 19-9 are, and third its behavior in pancreatic and lung cancer. We found CA 242 values comparable in healthy individuals and benign gastrointestinal disorders, thus CA 19-9 remains the marker of first choice for pancreatic cancer and CEA for colorectal cancer. CA 242 shows no advantage in lung cancer as compared to the established markers (CEA, CYFRA 21-1 (EIA Roche Germany) and NSE (EIA Hoffmann LaRoche, Switzerland) and no clearly higher expression in early colorectal cancer. Overall, the combination of CEA and CA 242 shows the best sensitivity in colorectal cancer.

BTA-TRAK--a useful diagnostic tool in urinary bladder cancer?

During recent years the BTA-TRAK-assay (Bard Diagnostics, Redmont, USA) has been described in several investigations to be of clinical utility for patients suffering from bladder cancer. In a prospective study we investigated over four months the voided urine samples of all consecutive patients undergoing cystoscopy independent of their clinical background (n = 244) with the BTA-TRAK-assay. With a specificity of 95% for benign urological diseases (cut off: 1300 U/mL) we found a sensitivity of 13% for active bladder tumours. Using healthy individuals as a reference group (cut off: 40 U/mL) we found a sensitivity of 56% (specificity 67%). Using the cut off value recommended by the manufacturer (14 U/mL) a specificity of 54% and a sensitivity of 62% was found. For patients without relapse (NED) versus patients with active bladder tumours we got a specificity of 55% and a sensitivity of 62%. Due to an insufficient specificity and sensitivity the BTA-TRAK-test is not able to replace cystoscopy nor to improve existing diagnostic strategies in bladder cancer.

The impact of urinary extravasation after radical retropubic prostatectomy on urinary incontinence and anastomotic strictures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of urinary extravasation as proven by cystogram 18 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy for the degree of postoperative urinary incontinence and the incidence of anastomotic strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 225 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy at our institution during a 30-month period, 215 of whom received a cystogram a mean 18 days following surgery. Three and 6 months after surgery these 215 patients were evaluated regarding the degree of urinary incontinence and the presence of anastomotic strictures. RESULTS: The cystogram demonstrated a watertight anastomosis in 89% (n = 195; group I), the remaining 11% (n = 24; group II) showed urine extravasation. Groups I and II were comparable with respect to age, preoperative serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), tumor grade and pathological staging. Six months after surgery, there was no statistically significant (p > 0.05) difference between both groups regarding the degree of urinary incontinence and the presence of anastomotic strictures. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of urine extravasation 18 days after radical retropubic prostatectomy has no impact on postoperative urinary incontinence and the incidence of anastomotic strictures. Based on these data it is not indicated to leave the catheter in situ beyond that point of time.