Research Vision:

The Segura Lab is dedicated to better understanding pediatric intestinal disease, with particular emphasis on determining the role of glial cells of the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS is a robust network that participates in virtually every aspect of gastrointestinal function. Work by our lab and others suggests enteric glia may serve as gatekeepers within the GI tract. We are investigating whether the developing ENS helps to maintain intestinal epithelial integrity through enteric glia in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an often fatal disease of premature infants, and other intestinal disorders.

Research Areas:

• In-vivo studies using mice and other animal models of intestinal disease

• In-vitro studies with cultured cells of the GI tract, including ENS components

• Collaborative translational and clinical studied in patients with NEC and other intestinal disorders

Research Publications:

1. Segura BJ, Zhang W, Xiao L, Turner D, Cowles RA, Logsdon C, Mulholland MW. Sphingosine-1-phosphate mediates calcium signaling in guinea pig enteroglial cells. J Surg Res. 2004 Jan;116(1):42-54. doi: 10.1016/s0022-4804(03)00281-6. PMID: 14732348.

2. Zhang R, Meng J, Lian Q, Chen X, Bauman B, Chu H, Segura B, Roy S. Prescription opioids are associated with higher mortality in patients diagnosed with sepsis: A retrospective cohort study using electronic health records. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 2;13(1):e0190362. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190362. PMID: 29293575; PMCID: PMC5749778.

3. Bauman BD, Meng J, Zhang L, Louiselle A, Zheng E, Banerjee S, Roy S, Segura BJ. Enteric glial-mediated enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity is compromised by morphine. J Surg Res. 2017 Nov;219:214-221. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.05.099. Epub 2017 Jun 30. PMID: 29078884; PMCID: PMC5708166.

4. Bauman BD, Evasovich M, Louiselle A, Zheng E, Goodwin K, Sekulic M, Li F, Andrade R, Segura BJ. An occult ectopic parathyroid adenoma in a pediatric patient: a case report and management algorithm. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Aug 28;30(9):995-999. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2017-0077. PMID: 28809753.

5. Bauman BD, Moertel CL, Zheng E, Louiselle A, Berdan E, Berger D, Segura B. An Unusual Pelvic Mass in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Pathology. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2017 May;39(4):306-308. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000773. PMID: 28085744.