https://www.selleckchem.com/products/deoxycholic-acid-sodium-salt.html Graphical abstract. This study investigated the influence of calcium hydroxide intracanal medications on the levels of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in apical periodontitis (AP). Twenty primarily infected root canals with AP were randomly divided into two groups Ca(OH)  + sterile saline solution (SSL) group and Ca(OH)  + 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX gel) group. We collected samples from the periradicular tissue fluid (PTF) before (s1) and after 14days of intracanal medication (s2). MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA assay. MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were detected in all PTF samples at s1 and s2 (20/20). At s1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected at higher levels than MMP-1 (p < .05). Higher levels of TIMP-1 than TIMP-2 were found in AP (p < .05). Additionally, we detected higher MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 over TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 levels in AP (p < .05). At s2, Ca(OH)  + SSL was as effective as Ca(OH)  + 2% CHX gel in lowering the levels of MMP-1, MMP-2 an essential role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The imbalance MMPs and TIMPs can cause periapical tissue destruction. Therefore, the reestablishment of the balance between activated MMPs and TIMPs with root canal therapy is essential to restore tissue homeostasis. The narrowness of the thoracic inlet is often a problem in retrosternal reconstruction after esophagectomy. We report here three cases in which compression of the gastric conduit behind the sternoclavicular joint possibly caused anastomotic leakage. The first case was a 71-year-old man who underwent subtotal esophagectomy for upper esophageal cancer followed by retrosternal reconstruction. On postoperative day 2, he developed septic shock and underwent reoperation because of a necrotic gastric conduit. The tip of the conduit above the manubrium was necrotic due to strangulation as a result of compression by the s