Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is among the most complex abdominal procedures, with a leak from the pancreatic anastomosis (postoperative pancreatic fistula, POPF) continuing to be a major source of morbidity and mortality. The mechanical characteristics of the pancreas, particularly tissue texture, are closely linked to POPF risk, yet remain poorly defined, limiting the accuracy of currently available training models. This study...

Discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS) is a congenital heart disease in which a fibrotic membrane forms below the aortic valve; the underlying cellular mechanisms are currently unknown. Since an elevated pressure gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is a distinguishing feature of DSS, it is hypothesized that the membrane formation is caused by elevated wall shear stress applied to the endocardial endothelial cells...