Background: Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the mechanism whereby an increase in neuronal activity (NA) leads to local elevation in cerebral blood flow (CBF) to match the metabolic requirements of firing neurons. Following synaptic activity, an increase in neuronal and/or astrocyte Ca²⁺ concentration leads to the synthesis of multiple vasoactive messengers. Curiously, the role of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling in NVC has been rather neglected, although endothelial cells are known to control the vascular tone in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner throughout peripheral vasculature. Methods: We analyzed the literature in search of the most recent updates on the potential role of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling in NVC. Results: We found that several neurotransmitters (i.e., glutamate and acetylcholine) and neuromodulators (e.g., ATP) can induce dilation of cerebral vessels by inducing an increase in endothelial Ca²⁺ concentration. This, in turn, results in nitric oxide or prostaglandin E2 release or activate intermediate and small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, which are responsible for endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). In addition, brain endothelial cells express multiple transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (i.e., TRPC3, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPA1), which induce vasodilation by activating EDH. Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling is an emerging pathway in the control of NVC.

Background: Postural stability and plantar pressure parameters can be assessed by baropodometry; nevertheless, they are often affected by low repeatability. The aim of the study was to test the accuracy and repeatability of a novel resistive sensor pressure plate and to establish the most reliable baropodometric parameters. Methods: Accuracy and repeatability of the FM12050 BTS-Bioengineering plate measurements were assessed by using different weights in static conditions across three sessions. Subsequently, 20 healthy subjects were assessed by 30-s stabilometric analysis in bipedal standing with open eyes across four trials in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Results: Pressure plate repeatability in measuring the static weights was very high, and plate measurements were correlated to the scale measurements (Pearson’s coefficient = 0.99). Percentage of load distribution between left and right foot and in rearfoot and forefoot regions showed the largest repeatability (coefficient of variation < 5%) across trials. Eventually, median and percentiles (25–75%) were reported for each parameter. Conclusions: This study helped to assess the accuracy and repeatability of a novel pressure plate in static conditions and to define the most reliable parameters for the assessment of postural stability and foot morphology. The present healthy-subject stabilometric dataset may be used as reference data in the evaluation of pathological populations.

Posture can be evaluated by clinical and instrumental methods. Three-dimensional motion analysis is the gold standard for the static and dynamic postural assessment. Conventional stereophotogrammetric protocols are used to assess the posture of pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, trunk (considered as a single segment) and rarely head and upper limbs during walking. A few studies also analyzed the multi-segmental trunk and whole-body kinematics. Aim of our study was to evaluate the sagittal spine and the whole-body during walking in healthy subjects by 3D motion analysis using a new marker set. Fourteen healthy subjects were assessed by 3D-Stereophotogrammetry using the DB-Total protocol. Excursion Range, Absolute Excursion Range, Average, intra-subject Coefficient of Variation (CV) and inter-subject Standard Deviation Average (SD Average) of eighteen new kinematic parameters related to sagittal spine and whole-body posture were calculated. The analysis of the DB-Total parameters showed a high intra-subject (CV < 50%) and a high inter-subject (SD Average < 1) repeatability for the most of them. Kinematic curves and new additional values were reported. The present study introduced new postural values characterizing the sagittal spinal and whole-body alignment of healthy subjects during walking. DB-Total parameters may be useful for understanding multi-segmental body biomechanics and as a benchmark for pathological patterns.