Helen Wendler Deane

A comparative study of cytoplasmic basophilia and the population density of ribosomes in the secretory cells of mouse seminal vesicle.

SummaryA comparative cytochemical and electron microscopic study on the ergastoplasm in the secretory cells of the seminal vesicles of castrated, normal, and testosterone-treated mice is reported. Castration induced a progressive decline in cytoplasmic basophilia (identified with ribonucleic acid) and testosterone treatment caused an enhancement over the normal level. There were corresponding changes in total area of ergastoplasmic membranes, but the expected changes in population density of ribosomes (ribonucleoprotein particles) in the intercisternal cytoplasm did not occur. These observations conflict with the currently-accepted view that almost all of the ribonucleic acid responsible for cytoplasmic basophilia in adult mammalian cells is contained in the ribosomes.Other changes in the fine structure of these cells in the experimental animals are briefly described.

Survey for mitochondrial-desmosome complexes in differentiating epithelia

SummaryMitochondria are frequently found to be closely associated with the plaques of desmosomes in a variety of columnar or cuboidal epithelia of fetal or early postnatal mammals (mouse, rat, human being). The organs in which mitochondrial-desmosome complexes were found include stomach, small intestine, pancreas, kidney, epididymis, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland, thyroid gland. The association has not been observed in simple squamous epithelium (vascular endothelium). Mitochondria lie quite close to desmosomes in the stratum spinosum of stratified squamous mucous epithelium of fetal animals and also to axo-dendritic synapses in still poorly differentiated central nervous system. Mitochondria have also been detected close to attachment sites in ectoderm of the early frog gastrulae. Here there is as yet no visible plaque material.We suggest that the mitochondria may provide energy or some chemical for the formation of the plaque. This hypothesis does not explain why the complexes are not found in poorly differentiated epithelia from older animals.

Effects of temperature on the binding of acid and basic dyes, including reference to metachromasy

SummaryWith a number of anionic dyes, a positive temperature effect occurs in the staining of tissues, whereas with a number of cationic dyes, a negative temperature effect occurs. The positive effect involves increased dye binding at 450 as compared to 50; the negative effect involves decreased dye binding at the higher temperature. To obtain these effects, dye concentration must be low and staining must be continued to equilibrium, i. e., for about 24 hours. These facts suggest that the temperature effects may depend in part on the degree of ionization of tissue components and also on competition between tissue components and dye for chromotrope.Deamination of sections depresses acidophilia and enhances basophilia but fails to obliterate the temperature effects.With metachromatic basic dyes, despite reduction in staining of highly acidic compounds at high temperature, the color remains metachromatic. This result differs from that obtained in the test tube and is probably explained by the fact that the chromotropes are relatively fixed in position in tissue sections.ZusammenfassungBei Gewebsfärbungen lassen einige anionische Farbstoffe eine „positive Temperaturwirkung“ erkennen, d. h. eine Zunahme der Farbstoffbindung beim Steigen der Temperatur von 50 auf 450. Bei kationischen Farbstoffen liegt dagegen meist eine „negative Temperaturwirkung“ vor, d. h. eine Verminderung der Farbstoffbindung bei höherer Temperatur. Dieser Effekt kann nur bei niedriger Farbstoffkonzentration und längerer Färbedauer (etwa 24 Std) erzielt werden. Die Temperaturwirkung hängt wohl z. T. vom Grad der Ionisation der Gewebsbestandteile ab wie vom Wettbewerb zwischen Gewebsbestandteil und Farbstoff für Chromotrope.Desaminierung vermindert die Acidophilie und steigert die Basophilie entsprechender Gewebebezirke. Die Temperaturwirkung bleibt erhalten.Trotz Minderung der Anfärbbarkeit von stark sauren Verbindungen bei hoher Temperatur bleibt die Metachromasie mit metachromatisch wirkenden basischen Farbstoffen im histologischen Schnitt erhalten. Im Reagensglasversuch liegen andere Ergebnisse vor. Dieser Unterschied erklärt sich wahrscheinlich aus der ziemlich festen Bindung zwischen Chromotrop und Gewebe.

Effects of the chronic administration of synthetic angiotensin in rats.

Abstract Rats given a daily s.c. injection of synthetic angiotensin II-amide in oil at a dosage of 0.4 mg per 100 g body weight exhibited, over an 11-day period, a steadily rising blood pressure. At 2 and 4 weeks, the kidneys showed a reduced renal juxtaglomerular granulation index, and the adrenal zona glomerulosa showed histological signs of stimulation. At 2 weeks, such adrenal glands incubated in vitro produced an increased amount of aldosterone in comparison with the adrenals of the control rats.

Response of rat zona glomerulosa in experimental nephrosis.

Summary In rats rendered nephrotic by repeated injections of the aminonucleoside of Puromycin, the adrenocortical glomerulosa became hypertrophied. Greatest enlargement occurred on 15th day of experiment, prior to maximal accumulation of ascitic fluid in other animals in the group. Diuresis in surviving animals occurred after glomerulosa had begun to shrink. Figure

Professor Helen Wendler Deane Markham 1917–1966

Professor Helen Wendler Deane, a renowned scientist, a humanitarian and a remarkable woman, died July 20, 1966, in her 49th year — a victim of cancer. Dr. Deane was born in North Carolina of Anglo-German stock and reared in New England. From earlier schooling in Springfield, Massachusetts, she entered Wellesley College where she majored in zoology. Her graduate work was done at Brown University, where, in her fourth year, she held the Horton-Hallowell Fellowship given by Wellesley College to an alumna engaged in advanced study. She took her doctoral degree in 1943 and spent the following term as Lecturer in Zoology at McGill University. She joined the Department of Anatomy of the Harvard Medical School in 1944, advancing to assistant professor, 1951–1954, and in 1957 came to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, where she rose to the rank of Professor of Anatomy and Research Associate Professor of Pathology. At the time of her death, she was also Deputy Chairman of the Anatomy Department.