Dr. Cowden studies a range of health conditions, particularly cancers and kidney injuries. He has researched glioblastoma, a severe brain tumor, and found that fine needle aspiration (a method that uses a thin needle to take tissue samples) can help accurately diagnose its spread to other areas like lymph nodes. He also examines Barrett's esophagus, a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer, and explores how specific proteins can indicate its progression. Additionally, he investigates kidney health, looking into how certain proteins protect kidneys during injury caused by blood flow interruptions, which is common in surgical procedures. Through his studies, Dr. Cowden aims to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies, making a significant impact in patient care.
Key findings
In a 2020 case, fine needle aspiration accurately diagnosed a rare case of glioblastoma spread to a cervical lymph node, highlighting its effectiveness in tough diagnoses.
In his 2018 study, he found that levels of the protein CAS/CSE1L were low in normal Barrett's esophagus tissue but rose to 60% in low-grade dysplasia and were very high in high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma, indicating its role in cancer progression.
A 2015 study showed that mice lacking the PrPC protein experienced severe kidney damage during ischemia/reperfusion, underscoring its protective role.
His 2005 research compared methodologies for detecting C4d in kidney transplant biopsies and found that a two-step method using the Quidel antibody was preferred for its simplicity and efficiency.
In a 2003 study, he scanned 29 breast cancer suspects and found that out of them, 22 had intraductal carcinoma, demonstrating the effectiveness of a new statistical method for breast tumor analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Cowden study cancer?
Yes, Dr. Cowden studies various cancers, including glioblastoma and esophageal cancer, focusing on their diagnosis and progression.
What techniques has Dr. Cowden researched?
He has researched techniques like fine needle aspiration for cancer diagnosis and statistical methods for analyzing MRI scans of breast tumors.
Is Dr. Cowden's work relevant to kidney transplant patients?
Yes, his research on kidney injury and methods to detect rejection in kidney transplants is highly relevant for kidney transplant patients.
What is the significance of Dr. Cowden's work with Barrett's esophagus?
His work identifies proteins that indicate when Barrett's esophagus is progressing towards cancer, which can help in early diagnosis and treatment.
How can Dr. Cowden's research benefit patients?
His research provides insights into more effective diagnostic methods and treatments, ultimately improving patient outcomes in various medical conditions.
Publications in plain English
Cytomorphology of glioblastoma metastic to a cervical lymph node diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA): A case report and review of literature.
2020
Diagnostic cytopathology
Gestrich C, Cowden D, Harbhajanka A
Plain English This study looked at a rare case of glioblastoma, a serious brain tumor, that spread to a lymph node in the neck of a 64-year-old man. The researchers found that using a method called fine needle aspiration (FNA) helped accurately diagnose the tumor by examining the unique characteristics of the cancer cells. This is important because it shows FNA is a safe and effective way to identify distant glioblastoma spread, which is usually tough to diagnose.
Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by providing a reliable method for diagnosing rare cases of metastatic glioblastoma.
Jiang K, Neill K, Cowden D, Klapman J, Eschrich S +3 more
Plain English This study looked at a protein called CAS/CSE1L and how its levels change in cells from Barrett's esophagus (BE) as it progresses towards a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma (ADC). Researchers found that CAS/CSE1L was barely present in normal BE tissues, but its levels increased in 60% of low-grade dysplasia (LGD) samples and were very high in high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and ADC, indicating that this protein might be linked to the cancer progression. These findings are important because they could help doctors identify when BE is turning into a more serious condition, improving how patients are diagnosed and treated.
Who this helps: This helps patients with Barrett's esophagus and their doctors.
Prion Protein Protects against Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.
2015
PloS one
Zhang B, Cowden D, Zhang F, Yuan J, Siedlak S +20 more
Plain English This study looked at the role of a protein called PrPC in protecting the kidneys from damage caused by a lack of blood flow, followed by a restoration of that flow, known as ischemia/reperfusion injury. Researchers found that mice without this protein suffered more severe kidney damage and dysfunction compared to those with it, including higher levels of harmful stress markers and lower function in key energy-producing parts of the cell. These findings are important because they suggest that PrPC can help safeguard the kidneys during events like surgeries or injuries where blood flow is temporarily cut off.
Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing surgeries that may affect kidney blood flow.
Increasing on-task behavior in every student in a second-grade classroom during transitions: validating the Color Wheel system.
2008
Journal of school psychology
Fudge DL, Skinner CH, Williams JL, Cowden D, Clark J +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how a classroom management system called the Color Wheel can help second graders stay focused during activity changes. When the Color Wheel was used, the number of students paying attention jumped significantly—showing a clear improvement when this system was in place, while focus dropped back to normal levels when it was not used. This is important because it shows practical ways to manage transitions in the classroom, which can support better learning environments for young students.
Who this helps: Teachers and second-grade students.
Comparative study for the detection of peritubular capillary C4d deposition in human renal allografts using different methodologies.
2005
Human pathology
Nadasdy GM, Bott C, Cowden D, Pelletier R, Ferguson R +1 more
Plain English This study looked at different methods for detecting a specific marker (C4d) in kidney transplant biopsies, which helps diagnose a condition called antibody-mediated rejection. Researchers tested three types of antibodies using different techniques on a total of 30 kidney biopsy samples. They found that while all methods worked well overall, the 2-step method using the Quidel antibody was preferred for being simpler, faster, and cheaper.
Who this helps: This benefits doctors performing kidney transplants and their patients by ensuring faster and more accurate diagnoses of rejection.
Barbacioru C, Arunachalam A, Cowden D, Kahwash E, Saltz JH
Plain English This study looked at how a new method of analyzing MRI images can help better understand breast tumors. Researchers scanned 29 patients suspected of having breast cancer and found 22 cases of intraductal carcinoma, 3 intralobular carcinoma, 2 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, and 3 benign tumors. These findings can help improve how doctors detect and diagnose breast cancer, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Who this helps: This helps patients by improving breast cancer detection and diagnosis.
Plain English This study examined how hospitals use electronic order sets, which are templates for ordering tests and medications, to improve patient care. Researchers found that identifying specific patterns in these order sets can help predict patient diagnoses and streamline medical data collection. This matters because it can make it easier for doctors to provide care while ensuring important information is captured efficiently.
Who this helps: This benefits doctors and hospital administrators by improving patient care and making data collection smoother.
An evaluation of the risk assessment method used by Environmental Health Officers when inspecting food businesses.
2002
International journal of environmental health research
Mullen LA, Cowden JM, Cowden D, Wong R
Plain English This study looked into how well Environmental Health Officers assess food businesses to identify risks of foodborne illnesses, specifically during two Salmonella outbreaks in Scotland. The researchers compared scores from inspections of restaurants where sick people had eaten with those of nearby eateries that had not caused illness. They found no significant differences in the scores, indicating that current inspection methods might not effectively identify businesses that could lead to food poisoning.
Who this helps: This helps health officials and policymakers improve food safety practices.