Contemporary medical research increasingly focuses on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to maintain homeostasis in healthy individuals and provide solutions for neurological disorders, including brain cancer. Specialized in vitro modules replicate the BBB\'s complex structure and signalling using micro-engineered perfusion devices and advanced 3D cell cultures, thus advancing the understanding of neuropharmacology. This research explores nanoparticle-based biomolecular engineering for precise control, targeting, and transport of theranostic payloads across the BBB using nanorobots. The review summarizes case studies on delivering therapeutics for brain tumors and neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer\'s, Parkinson\'s, and multiple sclerosis. It also examines the advantages and disadvantages of nano-robotics. In conclusion, integrating machine learning and AI with robotics aims to develop safe nanorobots capable of interacting with the BBB without adverse effects. This comprehensive review is valuable for extensive analysis and is of great significance to healthcare professionals, engineers specializing in robotics, chemists, and bioengineers involved in pharmaceutical development and neurological research, emphasizing transdisciplinary approaches.

Digital assistive technologies have the potential to address the pressing need for adequate therapy options for patients with long COVID (also known as post-COVID-19 condition) by enabling the implementation of individual and independent rehabilitation programs. However, the involvement of the target patient group is necessary to develop digital devices that are closely aligned to the needs of this particular patient group.
Participatory design approaches, such as cocreation, may be a solution for achieving usability and user acceptance. However, there are currently no set methods for implementing cocreative development processes incorporating patients. This study addresses the following research questions: what are the tasks and challenges associated with the involvement of patient groups? What lessons can be learned regarding the adequate involvement of patients with long COVID?
First, a literature review based on a 3-stage snowball process was conducted to identify the tasks and challenges emerging in the context of the cocreation of digital assistive devices and services with patient groups. Second, a qualitative analysis was conducted in an attempt to extract relevant findings and criteria from the identified studies. Third, using the method of theory adaptation, this paper presents recommendations for the further development of the existing concepts of cocreation in relation to patients with long COVID.
The challenges of an active involvement of patients in cocreative development in health care include hierarchical barriers and differences in the levels of specific knowledge between professionals and patients. In the case of long COVID, patients themselves are still inexperienced in dealing with their symptoms and are hardly organized into established groups. This amplifies general hurdles and leads to questions of group identity, power structure, and knowledge creation, which are not sufficiently addressed by the current methods of cocreation.
The adaptation of transdisciplinary methods to cocreative development approaches focusing on collaborative and inclusive communication can address the recurring challenges of actively integrating patients with long COVID into development processes.

Sustainability in the provision of ecosystem services requires understanding of the vulnerability of social-ecological systems (SES) to tipping points (TPs). Assessing SES vulnerability to abrupt ecosystem state changes remains challenging, however, because frameworks do not operationally link ecological, socio-economic and cultural elements of the SES. We conducted a targeted literature review on empirical assessments of SES and TPs in the marine realm and their use in ecosystem-based management. Our results revealed a plurality of terminologies, definitions and concepts that hampers practical operationalisation of these concepts. Furthermore, we found a striking lack of socio-cultural aspects in SES vulnerability assessments, possibly because of a lack of involvement of stakeholders and interest groups. We propose guiding principles for assessing vulnerability to TPs that build on participative approaches and prioritise the connectivity between SES components by accounting for component linkages, cascading effects and feedback processes.