Supplier evaluation in supply chain management involves uncertainty, conflicting expert opinions, and criteria with both positive and negative aspects. Traditional fuzzy models cannot simultaneously handle interval uncertainty, bipolar reasoning, and fractional control. To address this limitation, we propose the interval-valued bipolar q-fractional fuzzy set model, which integrates bipolar fuzzy sets (to capture positive and negative membership degrees), interval-valued fuzzy sets (to handle expert imprecision), and q-fractional fuzzy sets (to flexibly control the balance between membership and non-membership degrees). We define the fundamental operations of the model and examine their algebraic properties. Two aggregation operators-the interval-valued bipolar q-fractional fuzzy weighted averaging operator and the interval-valued bipolar q-fractional fuzzy weighted geometric operator-are developed to aggregate such information while preserving idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness. A systematic ranking procedure applied to a supplier evaluation problem demonstrates the model's effectiveness in handling conflicting, interval-based assessments. Comparative and sensitivity analyses further reveal that the proposed model provides stable rankings and reliably identifies the best alternative across different parameter settings, confirming its robustness and practical applicability in multi-criteria decision-making for supply chain management.
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This study presents a four-step methodology to analyze and improve the provision of high-complexity healthcare services (HCHS) at national level: (i) data analysis and identification of municipalities with a concentration of HCHS provision, referred to as supplier municipalities; (ii) measurement of accessibility to supplier municipalities; (iii) identification of new facility locations through optimization techniques; and (iv) determination of the level of service provision required at the new locations. The proposed methodology is applied to the case of Colombia, where 65.25% of deaths occur in medical facilities. An analysis of the national database shows that in supplier municipalities, 92.8% of residents die in the same municipality, whereas in other municipalities this proportion decreases to 55.2%, indicating travel patterns among critically ill patients to supplier municipalities. Optimization methods are then used to identify locations for new HCHS facilities; the addition of 10 new locations improves coverage for 3,842,920 inhabitants within a 120 km range of HCHS.
 Medicine shortages and governance failures in low- and middle-income countries continue to hinder progress towards universal health coverage.  To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences of medicines governance in South African healthcare facilities.  The study was conducted at the public healthcare sectors in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.  A qualitative exploratory cross-sectional design was used. Twenty healthcare professionals were purposively selected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's framework.  Four major themes emerged: systemic governance constraints; pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities; weak accountability mechanisms; and gaps in protocol implementation. Key determinants of medicine shortages included weak budget governance, supplier payment delays, limited pharmacy support staff and inconsistent implementation of standard treatment guidelines (STG) and limited functionality of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs).  Medicine shortages result from systemic governance failures rather than isolated logistical issues. Strengthening pharmaceutical governance requires transparent budgeting, timely supplier payment systems, functional PTCs, and STG training to improve equitable access to essential medicines.Contribution: This study deepens the understanding of pharmaceutical governance, revealing systemic, interrelated factors that collectively lead to the shortage of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. Unlike previous research that focused primarily on supply chain logistics, the study showed that stock-outs were rooted not simply in operational inefficiency, but also in structural governance weaknesses. This study presents practical insights to strengthen pharmaceutical governance and supports national efforts to achieve universal health coverage by identifying specific governance obstacles and proposing system-level reforms.
Physicochemical stability of drug products depends on excipient-API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) compatibility, where interfacial interactions at the particle surface can initiate degradation pathways and solid-state transformations. Conventional compatibility approaches often emphasise bulk properties and may under-represent surface effects. A methodology based on Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) determined by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was applied to characterise API surface properties. Three model compounds (ramipril, sertraline hydrochloride, agomelatine) were analysed to compare polymorphic forms and production batches. Measurements were performed at infinite dilution using multiple molecular probes at several temperatures. The HSP profiles showed pronounced differences between polymorphs and, importantly, between batches sharing the same polymorphic form. The data indicate that molecular packing, stereochemistry and processing history can measurably alter surface energetics, with direct implications for excipient compatibility and formulation robustness. IGC-derived HSP analysis provides complementary, surface-sensitive information that can support excipient selection during early formulation development and help manage risks related to polymorphic variability and supplier-to-supplier differences. Further work should link HSP profiles to formulation performance metrics such as processability, compatibility and stability.
Supply-side challenges combined with high costs and limited insurance coverage led to a robust market for compounded glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). However, assessment of this market since the end of the semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages is needed. To characterize available compounded GLP-1 RA products, describe aspects of patient care and monitoring, and identify source pharmacies of available compounded products. From August to October 2025, a cross-sectional secret shopper study was conducted of brick-and-mortar weight-loss clinics and medical spas advertising GLP-1 RAs for weight loss and offering compounded GLP-1 RAs. These businesses were identified in January 2025 using a web mapping application to perform location-based searches that were supplemented with a review of business websites and publicly available data regarding compounding facilities. The businesses were located in 2 states (West Virginia and Oklahoma) with potentially high demand for compounded GLP-1 RAs that were purposively selected based on obesity rate and insurance mix. Compounded GLP-1 RAs offered by weight-loss clinics and medical spas; aspects of patient care and monitoring; and characteristics of compounding suppliers, including facility type, licensing status, objectionable conditions noted by investigators, and disciplinary actions. A total of 75 weight-loss clinics and medical spas offering compounded GLP-1 RAs were identified and included in the analysis. Of these businesses, 7 (9.3%) reported offering oral compounded GLP-1 RA formulations and 42 (56.0%) reported offering compounded GLP-1 RA products combined with B vitamins. Twenty-three compounding facilities were identified as suppliers, 4 (of 21; 19.0%) of which were not licensed to perform sterile compounding. Since 2023, 1 facility (4.3%) had received multiple US Food and Drug Administration warning letters and 3 of 22 (13.6%) had been subject to state-level disciplinary action. Findings of this study show that, after the end of the semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages, compounding facilities have continued to manufacture GLP-1 RAs with added ingredients. Compounded GLP-1 RA sourcing is diverse but includes facilities without licenses to perform sterile compounding or that have been subject to recent disciplinary action, posing clinical and regulatory challenges.
The integration of innovative, high-cost technologies like robotic surgery presents significant managerial and logistical challenges within public university hospitals. While previous research often highlights clinical outcomes, pragmatic studies on the administrative and organizational complexities of implementation are scarce. This manuscript aims to address this gap by analyzing the multifaceted logistical issues encountered during the establishment of a multispecialty robotic surgery program. This study's primary objective is to evaluate the managerial and logistical aspects of adopting a surgical robot in a public hospital, focusing on the administrative processes, institutional adjustments, and systemic challenges that impact patient care and institutional sustainability. The authors sought to identify key lessons learned from this experience and enumerate the institutional knowledge gained during the integration of this technology. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining an analysis of institutional data and semi-structured interviews with managers and professionals involved in the decision-making and adoption process. Data collected included demographic details, surgical times, and postoperative outcomes, which served as management indicators. The study's framework was informed by organizational and diffusion of innovation theories to reconstruct the history of the decision-making process. The implementation of robotic surgery required substantial adjustments to hospital infrastructure, work processes, and personnel training. Key logistical difficulties documented included dependency on a single supplier, delays in importing materials, high costs without market competition, and extensive training requirements. While robotic surgery demonstrated clinical advantages, such as lower complication rates (4.2%vs. 5.2%) and reduced blood loss (266.2 mL vs. 598.2 mL), its successful adoption was contingent on detailed planning and effective management to minimize these logistical challenges and optimize benefits. The study also revealed a protracted learning curve for the surgical teams, although operative times showed a decreasing trend with increased experience. The successful implementation of robotic surgery in a public teaching hospital requires a dedicated focus on logistical planning, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management. Preemptive modeling of costs, diversified supplier relationships, and phased training are essential for sustainability. These findings provide valuable guidance for similar institutions aiming to integrate disruptive surgical technologies.
In response to public pressure, companies have increasingly adopted voluntary sustainable sourcing commitments. Yet, it often remains unclear whether such commitments lead only to the narrow goal of supplier compliance, or also to the broader goal of additionality, benefits beyond what would have occurred without commitments. A company's ability to influence its suppliers' behavior partly depends on the complexity of supply chains, yet data on supply chain linkages are limited, inhibiting causal evaluations. Here, we evaluate the compliance and additionality of zero-deforestation commitments (ZDCs) in the Indonesian palm oil sector, a major driver of tropical deforestation. We compiled a detailed dataset that integrates information about corporate ZDC implementation, supply chain linkages, and maps of palm-driven deforestation in Indonesia. We use this dataset to evaluate the causal impact of ZDCs on deforestation in oil palm concessions from 2018 to 2020 using difference-in-differences econometric methods. We find that concessions linked to companies with ZDCs had low deforestation (<1% per year from 2018 to 2020) and thus largely achieved compliance. Yet they experienced similar reductions in deforestation compared to concessions not covered by ZDCs, therefore showing no additionality. We attribute our finding of no additionality to broader changes in policy and economic conditions during the study period that may have reduced the remaining accessible forest and dampened market and regulatory incentives to clear forests for palm oil. Should these conditions change in the future, continued compliance with ZDCs could yield additional reductions in deforestation.
Amid global carbon goals and supply chain carbon leakage, the effectiveness of corporate environmental responsibility disclosure requires reexamination. We explore how listed companies' environmental disclosure impacts upstream and downstream carbon emissions. Results indicate that environmental disclosure increases, rather than reduces, supply chain emissions, confirming hidden emissions under explicit corporate responsibility. Mechanistically, the scale effect acts globally, while structural and technological effects are exclusively upstream and downstream, respectively. Furthermore, upstream suppliers face dual suppression from carbon transfer via digital speech and action, whereas downstream customers are affected solely by digital action. Additionally, upstream carbon transfer targets long-term stable suppliers, while downstream transfer targets nonmajor, long-term customers. This study provides an objective basis for resolving supply chain carbon transfer dilemmas and formulating targeted emission reduction policies.
What are the perspectives, challenges and current practices of clinical reproductive practitioners worldwide regarding environmental sustainability in the IVF laboratory? A cross-sectional online survey was distributed exclusively among clinical reproductive scientists. The survey was accessible for 10 weeks from July 2024 to September 2024. It was designed to assess different aspects of sustainability in the IVF laboratory, and explore the role of demographic variables. In total, 893 recipients responded, of which 754 were eligible to participate and spanned 83 countries. Awareness of sustainability was high, with >90% being familiar with the term, and over half expressing strong concern about the environmental impact of the medical field. Three-quarters (74.2%, 559/753) considered sustainability in assisted reproductive technology (ART) to be critical, and many believed that adopting greener practices would appear more attractive to patients, although this opinion was not shared equally among different age groups. The survey explored the frequency of daily laboratory activities. 'Switching off microscope lights when not in use' was performed most often, while 'feedback to suppliers regarding excessive packaging' was seen in <10% of responses. Respondents understood the need for a collaborative approach; however, ART suppliers were identified as most responsible for driving a greener culture. While most practitioners who participated in the study are concerned about the environmental impact of ART and are keen to adopt more sustainable practices, concerns about regulatory and economic consequences, as well as negative impact on treatment outcomes, hinder meaningful action. This study highlights areas of concern and responsibilities for ART stakeholders to address going forwards in fostering a greener culture in IVF.
Healthcare organizations increasingly rely on digital integration to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chain governance. At the time of this study, Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) operated a decentralized pharmacy network without a dedicated internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, resulting in fragmented procurement data and limited enterprise-level visibility. This study aimed to design and implement an enterprise-level data integration and analytics solution to enhance procurement transparency, inventory visibility, and data-informed decision-making across PHCC's pharmacy network. Guided by a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, a centralized Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) was developed by integrating procurement data extracted from the supplier's ERP system. A Tableau-based analytics dashboard featuring key performance indicators (KPIs) was designed and deployed across 32 pharmacies to support operational monitoring and governance. The implemented solution enabled real-time visibility of pharmaceutical procurement and inventory performance. Descriptive operational indicators showed a reduction in back-order rates from 6.7% to 4.5% in 2024. Inventory indicators demonstrated an increase in average medication shelf life from 551 to 568 days (3%) and an improved expiry profile, with 96% valid inventory and only 3% very short-expiry items compared with historical levels. This case study demonstrates how integrating external supplier ERP data into an enterprise data warehouse can enhance visibility, transparency, and decision support in public healthcare systems lacking an internal ERP. The approach provides a scalable and practical model for strengthening pharmaceutical supply chain governance without large-scale ERP implementation.
A global value chain (GVC)-an international network linking producers and consumers through multiple intermediaries-has rapidly emerged in recent years to connect geographically dispersed cultivators and consumers of legal medical cannabis. This is commonly presented as an important new economic development opportunity for low- and middle-income countries with favourable agro-ecological conditions. This paper analyses the growth of the legal medical cannabis GVC in South Africa, a major emerging supplier, focusing on how chain governance and power relations shape processes of inclusion, exclusion, and value capture. The paper draws on 34 semi-structured interviews conducted between 2021 and 2024 with a range of stakeholders in the medical cannabis GVC, including cultivators, brokers, consultants, and civil society. Interviews were analysed using Nvivo with a hybrid coding strategy. Interviews reveal that cultivators face intersecting challenges: regulatory complexity, increasingly intense competition, bargaining power imbalances, and a demanding series of quality conventions in which the sensory and aesthetic qualities of an artisanal product must be combined with pharmaceutical rigour. Barriers to entry are high, and costly upgrading processes are necessary to avoid falling into a commoditisation trap as easily-replaceable suppliers of a generic good, subject to 'race to the bottom' competition and price volatility. These challenges undermine aspirations for medical cannabis exports to serve as an inclusive economic development opportunity for small-scale cultivators in the Global South. GVC participation requires major capital expenditures and advanced capabilities. Overcoming these challenges would require significant policy support.
Thermoforming time is a critical parameter in the fabrication of thermoformed orthodontic aligners, as it influences polymer softening, material adaptation, and dimensional consistency. Manufacturer-recommended heating durations are typically based on standardized conditions and may not reflect the dynamic thermal behavior of thermoforming units during consecutive fabrication cycles. Empirical data quantifying heating-time variation and stabilization patterns remain limited. This in vitro study evaluated heating-time variation across 20 consecutive thermoforming cycles in two commercially available thermoplastic aligner materials: a multilayer polyethylene terephthalate glycol/thermoplastic polyurethane composite (Zendura FLX) and a single-layer thermoplastic polyurethane sheet (Maxflex), both with a nominal thickness of 0.76 mm. Each material underwent ten independent experimental sessions (total n = 200 cycles per material) using a standardized pressure-forming unit under controlled environmental conditions (23 ± 1 °C; 50 ± 5% humidity). Heating was terminated at a predefined sag depth of 16 mm, determined using a laser-based measurement system. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess cycle-dependent variation, and simple linear regression was applied to the pre-stabilization phase. Heating time progressively decreased across consecutive thermoforming cycles for both materials. Zendura FLX stabilized from cycle 6 onward, with a steady-state mean of 64.59 ± 3.58 s. Maxflex stabilized from cycle 12 onward, with a steady-state mean of 69.37 ± 1.12 s. During the transient phase, heating time decreased linearly by 8.66 s per cycle for Zendura FLX (R² = 0.78) and 4.17 s per cycle for Maxflex (R² = 0.97). Both transient and steady-state heating durations were significantly longer than Supplier-Recommended Thermoforming Times (p < 0.0001). Heating time during thermoforming decreased across consecutive cycles before reaching material-specific stabilization thresholds. For both materials, experimentally determined heating durations exceeded manufacturer-recommended times under controlled laboratory conditions, suggesting that thermoforming behavior may vary dynamically during repeated fabrication cycles.
The accurate taxonomic identification and sourcing of test organisms are fundamental to the validity and reproducibility of toxicological studies. This commentary critically examines a recent study by Sun et al. (2026), which employed brine shrimp referred to as Artemia salina without verifying their species identity. Based on the known biogeography and commercial trade patterns of Artemia, the specimens used in the study were certainly not A. salina. It is argued that the use of the commercially ambiguous label A. salina and an unverified supplier constitutes a significant methodological shortcoming. This oversight undermines the reliability of the reported toxicological data, hinders cross-study comparisons, and ignores well-documented interspecific/intraspecific variations in sensitivity among Artemia species and populations/lineages. It is noted that this is not a classic taxonomic approach but rather a methodological necessity for the validity of comparative studies.
Dexamethasone, a synthetic analogue of betamethasone, exerts vast actions to mediate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Despite failing to exhibit obvious adverse involvements during its protective therapy, the unique role of dexamethasone affects an array of organs implicated in preliminary histopathological findings. This prospective study aimed to verify the alterations in the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen of pregnant rats treated with low-versus high-dexamethasone doses. Overall, 72 Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 20 g were divided into the control pregnant group, which was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); the pregnant group, which was ultimately subdivided into two groups and then orally administered diluted concentrations of dexamethasone at 625 and 125 × 10 µg/kg body weight (BW); each of these concentrations was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); the control non-pregnant group, which was subdivided into two subgroups (14 and 21 days); and the non-pregnant group, which was sub grouped into two groups, was orally administered the same mentioned concentrations of dexamethasone. Histological sections from the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen were further stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then examined under a microscope to evaluate tissue integrity and histopathological lesions. Dexamethasone exhibited significant adverse effects on total organ weights. Significant histopathological variations in dexamethasone-treated tissues. Therefore, liver changes included hepatocyte necrosis and interstitial inflammation. Structural brain changes involving neuronal necrosis and perineuronal vacuolations. Despite kidney lesions, which included dilated tubules and necrosis with sloughing of the renal epithelium, the spleen exhibited lymphoid follicle depletion and hemorrhage of red pulp. Strong, unlimited alterations (+++) of the tissues were observed in the group that received 125 × 10 µg/kg BW dexamethasone. Additionally, the lowest concentration group, which received 625 µg/kg BW dexamethasone, showed non-negligible changes (++) compared with the controls. These findings suggest that the harmful effects of dexamethasone on organ architecture are dose-dependent. Therefore, dexamethasone is not decidedly contraindicated during pregnancy, but strict consideration and incessant monitoring are required during application, irrespective of the healthcare supplier.
The pharmaceutical industry plays a pivotal role in the healthcare economy, with drug quality and pricing being critical to consumer welfare. China's government has implemented National centralized volume-based drug procurement(NVBP) policy, aiming to reduce medication costs through bulk purchasing. While existing research confirms its price-reduction effects, unintended consequences regarding pharmaceutical quality incentives remain overlooked. This study investigates how the NVBP policy reshapes firms' quality-pricing strategies, addressing a critical gap in policy evaluation. Game-theoretical model is constructed to simulate interactions between two pharmaceutical firms with distinct technological capabilities before and after China's National volume-based procurement (NVBP) policy. Prior to the policy, the Hotelling model's spatial competition is reinterpreted as a quality-preference spectrum After the policy, drugs are standardized through consistency evaluation, and competition reduces to pure price competition as in the Bertrand model. Then a double-envelope bidding game is introduced where the government sets a minimum quality standard and firms bid on price. After winning the bid, firms need to decide the production strategy. Before NVBP policy implementation, equal-quality price differences depend solely on technical parameters. Under endogenous quality, a firm's quality rises with its own technology; the technologically superior firm charges a higher price, but a weaker firm facing a superior rival lowers its price. After NVBP policy implementation, during the bidding time, if both firms pass consistency evaluation, the winning bid price falls, but quality may drop below pre-NVBP levels. If the low-tech firm fails, the high-tech firm gains monopoly pricing power and raises prices. During the production time, some unintended consequences may occur, such as quality risk and supply disruption risk. The implementation of NVBP policy could lower drug prices and improve access, but it may also generate unintended consequences. Low standards induce price competition and reduce quality investment, while high standards may create sole-supplier monopoly. Excessively low bids pose quality or supply risks. Policy should calibrate standards, use tiered incentives, and strengthen surveillance, but empirical validation remains needed.
Inventory management in intensive care units (ICUs) plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted patient care, yet it remains an underprioritised component of healthcare operations. This narrative review explores current challenges and evidence-based strategies for optimising ICU supply chains. Issues such as unpredictable demand, manual stock tracking, procurement inefficiencies and limited staff training often contribute to stockouts, expired supplies and delayed interventions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed systemic vulnerabilities, emphasising the need for resilient, technology-driven supply systems. A comprehensive literature search (2004-2025) was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar using keywords related to ICU inventory, artificial intelligence (AI) forecasting, radio frequency identification (RFID), procurement and digital health logistics. Findings were synthesised into thematic categories addressing core problems and interventions. Key strategies include implementing automated tracking systems, adopting AI-driven demand forecasting, standardising procurement policies, training ICU staff in inventory best practices and establishing emergency buffer stock. Emerging technologies such as digital twins and blockchain are highlighted for their potential to enhance transparency, responsiveness and planning accuracy. Additionally, fostering multisourcing supplier partnerships and optimising ICU storage space can further enhance system agility and reduce waste. In conclusion, ICU supply chains must evolve from reactive, manual systems to proactive, data-driven frameworks. Hospitals should invest in digital infrastructure, staff training and ethical procurement models to build resilient, cost-effective and patient-centred supply chains.
The most destructive disease of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in the U.S., and the most common in California and Arizona is downy mildew (Peronospora effusa (Grev.) Rabenh.). However, in the Northeast, from NY to MI downy mildew outbreaks were infrequent until the first outbreaks in commercial plantings in 2014. This research was undertaken to determine if contaminated seed could be a source of such outbreaks in Northeast areas. We examined organic spinach seed lots for presence of oospores and their viability in leftover seeds from two commercial sources supplied by growers: three remnant packets of the cultivar ('Corvair') from of two seed lots from 2018 and 2022 which had developed disease in grower fields. Results found that 0-4% of seeds were infested with oospores (a total of 6000 seeds examined). A total of 1,471 oospores embedded in pericarp tissue had 0 to -48% plasmolyzing, indicating a living protoplasm (viable oospores) in 4 M sodium chloride treatment. The second seed samples were purchased directly from seed companies and included seeds of 12 cultivars from 8 suppliers (totaling over 34,000 seeds examined). Eleven seed lots of six cultivars ('Bloomsdale' 'Equinox', 'Regiment', 'Renegade', 'Space' and 'Viroflay') were free from visible oospores. In 17 seed lots from seven cultivars, oospores were visible on > 7% of seeds. In one sample, 57% of 96 oospores plasmolyzed in NaCl. A comparison of percent germination for infested and non-infested seed showed no significant differences.
Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) software in mammography is trained on a set of processed images and may be less effective when applied to images acquired on different systems or systems with different processing and/or acquisition settings. The aim of this work was to undertake a retrospective audit of a large number of mammography systems in the United Kingdom and identify the number of differences in image acquisition and processing factors. Methods: Images of the TORMAM phantom are acquired as part of the routine quality control programme. Data from the DICOM header of these images were extracted to provide a snapshot in time of the system configurations. A longitudinal audit of DICOM header data for all of the Hologic systems was tested by one medical physics department (MPD1) over 14 years. Results: We received results from 28 UK medical physics services for 498 systems. There were 7 different models of mammography systems, each with up to 7 different versions of acquisition workstation software. Each mammographic model had multiple image processing versions, including bespoke settings. The GE had two dose settings, while Siemens systems had a range of doses from 80% to 150% of the standard dose. In the longitudinal audit, there were between 2 and 6 software versions in concurrent use on the Hologic systems tested by MPD1. Conclusions: This study showed the heterogeneity of system setup across the UK in a single year, as well as changes to system setup over time. These differences may affect the outcomes of both AI and human readers. There are responsibilities on AI suppliers, mammography equipment manufacturers, breast-screening units, and medical physics services to ensure outcomes are not adversely affected by differences or changes in mammography equipment configurations.
Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, originally used as a control group for spontaneously hypertensive rats, are increasingly recognized as a valuable model for studying selected neuropsychiatric disorders. This strain exhibits behavioral and neurobiological traits relevant to both depression and inattentive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including behavioral inhibition, increased stress sensitivity, anhedonic behaviors, and deficits in sustained attention. At the same time, a significant challenge remains in the form of considerable variability among WKY substrains, resulting from genetic differences and the breeding practices employed by individual suppliers. This variability may limit the reproducibility of results, but it also holds research value, enabling the analysis of distinct dimensions of mental disorders within related animal models. The aim of this review is to integrate available data on the genealogy, genetic variability, and behavioral phenotypes of WKY rats, with particular emphasis on their relevance to ADHD research and on depression-related traits that may influence the interpretation of WKY rats as a reference or disease-relevant strain. The added value of the present review is therefore to provide an integrated ADHD-oriented perspective on the WKY strain, while also considering depression-related and treatment-response traits as biologically relevant components of its complex behavioral phenotype.