Background and study aims  Despite the information regarding extravasation from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), the detectability of the target diverticulum by colonoscopy remains unsatisfactory in colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). The lack of common signs recognizable on CT and endoscopic images makes it difficult to set a region of interest; however, this can be overcome with the "step-clipping" method, a strategic marking technique for revealing the target. We aimed to investigate the clinical performance of the step-clipping method in patients with CDB. Patients and methods  Eighty-seven patients diagnosed with CDB with extravasation using CECT who underwent colonoscopy between August 2007 and February 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two categories the traditional group (those who underwent colonoscopy from August 2007 to May 2017, n = 54) and the step-clipping group (those who underwent colonoscopy from June 2017 to February 2020, n = 33). Results  The detection rate for the responsible diverticulum was significantly higher in the step-clipping group than in the traditional group (94 % vs 63 %; P  = .0013). The step-clipping group had a shorter average search time during colonoscopy (9.6 vs 40.5 minutes; P   less then  .0001) and lower re-bleeding rate after the initial colonoscopy (6 % vs 26 %; P  = .02) than the traditional group, which facilitated earlier hospital discharge (5.4 vs 6.8 days; P  = .027). Conclusions  Colonoscopy using the step-clipping method can improve the detectability of the target lesion within a shorter time, thus leading to lower re-bleeding rates and earlier hospital discharge.Background and study aims  The TissueCypher Barrett's Esophagus Assay is a novel tissue biomarker test, and has been validated to predict progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TissueCypher on clinical decision-making in the management of BE. Patients and methods  TissueCypher was ordered for 60 patients with non-dysplastic (ND, n = 18) BE, indefinite for dysplasia (IND, n = 25), and low-grade dysplasia (LGD, n = 17). TissueCypher reports a risk class (low, intermediate or high) for progression to HGD or EAC within 5 years. The impact of the test results on BE management decisions was assessed. Results  Fifty-two of 60 patients were male, mean age 65.2 ± 11.8, and 43 of 60 had long segment BE. TissueCypher results impacted 55.0 % of management decisions. In 21.7 % of patients, the test upstaged the management approach, resulting in endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) or shorter surveillance interval.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/p22077.html  The test downstaged the management approach in 33.4 % of patients, leading to surveillance rather than EET. In the subset of patients whose management plan was changed, upstaging was associated with a high-risk TissueCypher result, and downstaging was associated with a low-risk result ( P   less then  0.0001). Conclusions  TissueCypher was used as an adjunct to support a surveillance-only approach in 33.4 % of patients. Upstaging occurred in 21.7 % of patients, leading to therapeutic intervention or increased surveillance. These results indicate that the TissueCypher test may enable physicians to target EET for TissueCypher high-risk BE patients, while reducing unnecessary procedures in TissueCypher low-risk patients.Background and study aims  Conscious sedation is routinely administered for colonoscopy but is associated with risks and inconveniences. We sought to determine whether virtual reality (VR) may be a feasible alternative. Patients and methods  Twenty-seven individuals scheduled for screening/surveillance colonoscopy participated. The VR device was activated throughout the colonoscopy, but subjects could opt out and request standard medications. Questionnaires were administered, and variables were assessed on a scale of 1 to 10. Results  Cecal intubation was achieved in all cases without adverse events (AEs). Study colonoscopies were completed without pharmacological rescue in 26 of 27 patients (96.3 %) and procedure times were comparable to baseline. Subjects reported minimal pain, high satisfaction, and willingness to use VR for future colonoscopies to avoid narcotics and resume normal activities including driving. Conclusion  Replacing pharmacological sedation with VR did not impact colonoscopy completion rates, procedure time, or AEs. Satisfaction was high and only one subject (3.7 %) chose to suspend VR. VR can be an effective alternative for patients undergoing colonoscopy who prefer to avoid narcotics.Background and study aims  Women remain underrepresented in gastroenterology, especially advanced endoscopy. Women represent 30 % of general gastroenterology fellows; yet in 2019, only 12.8 % of fellows who matched into advanced endoscopy fellowship (AEF) programs were women. Methods  We administered a web-based survey to the program directors (PDs) of AEF programs that participated in the 2018-2019 American Society for Gastroenterology (ASGE) match. We assessed PD and program characteristics, in addition to perceived barriers and facilitators (scale 1-5, 5 = most important) influencing women pursuing AEF training. Results  We received 38 (59.3 %) responses from 64 PDs. 15.8 % (6/38) of AEF PDs and 13.2 % (5/38) of endoscopy chiefs were women. By program, women represented 14.8 % (mean) ± 17.0 % (SD) of AEF faculty and 12.0 % (mean) ± 11.1 % (SD) of AEF trainees over the past 10 years. 47.4 % (18/38) programs reported no female advanced endoscopy faculty and 31.6 % (12/38) of programs have never had a female fellow. Percentage of female fellows was strongly associated with percentage of female AEF faculty (ß = 0.43, P   less then  0.001). Inflexible hours and call (mean rank 3.3 ± 1.1), exposure to fluoroscopy (2.9 ± 1.1), lack of women endoscopists at national conferences/courses (2.9 ± 1.1) and lack of female mentorship (2.9 ± 1.0) were cited as the most important barriers to recruitment. Conclusion  We utilized a survey of AEF PDs participating in the ASGE match to determine program characteristics and identify contributors to gender disparity. Women represent a minority of AEF PDs, endoscopy chiefs, advanced endoscopy faculty and AEF trainees. Our study highlights perceived barriers and facilitators to recruitment, and emphasizes the importance of having female representation in faculty, and leadership positions in endoscopy.