The relationship of corticospinal excitability with pain,motor performance and disability in subjects with chronic wrist/hand pain

There is a growing body of evidence of changes in corticospinal excitability associated with musculoskeletal disorders, however there is a lack of knowledge of how these changes relate to measures of pain, motor performance and disability. An exploratory study was performed utilizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to investigate differences in corticospinal excitability in the Abductor Pollicis Brevis (APB) between 15 pain-free subjects and 15 subjects with chronic wrist/hand pain and to determine how corticospinal excitability was associated with measures of pain (visual analog scale, AUSCAN™), hand motor performance (isometric and key pinch strength, Purdue Pegboard Test), disability (AUSCAN™), and spinal motoneuronal excitability. Input–output curves demonstrated increased corticospinal excitability of the APB in the affected hand of subjects with chronic pain (p < 0.01). Changes in corticospinal excitability were significantly correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.77), disability (r = 0.58), and negatively correlated with motoneuronal excitability (r = −0.57). Corticospinal excitability in subjects with heterogeneous injuries of the wrist/hand was associated with disability and pain.     

Systemic expression of inflammatory mediators in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps with and without Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

BackgroundSystemic reactions are related to the pathogenesis of Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). With this work we wanted to study the changes in the systemic levels of inflammatory mediators in both baseline and after oral aspirin challenge in patients with and without AERD.MethodsPatients with nasal polyposis and asthma with AERD (n = 20) and without (n = 18) were orally challenged with aspirin in a single-blind placebo controlled study. Serum samples and urine were collected before and 6 h after placebo and aspirin oral challenges. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators were assayed by using the Luminex technology and ELISA. The concentrations of 9-alpha, 11-beta prostaglandin F₂, and leukotriene E₄ (uLTE₄) were measured in urine samples by ELISA. The expression of T-cell surface markers was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated before and after the challenges.ResultsAERD patients showed significantly higher baseline levels of s-IL-5R-alpha, uLTE₄ and percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^pos and CD4⁺CD45RA⁻CD45RO⁺ but decreased levels of TGF-β₁ and number of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^neg cells. Aspirin challenge induced the release of uLTE₄, IL-6 and increased the number of CD4⁺CD45RA⁻CD45RO⁺ memory T-cells only in AERD patients but failed to reduce the levels of sCD40L as observed in non-AERD subjects. Further, IL-8 and sIL-5R-alpha levels directly correlated with the PD₂₀ASA and the effects of aspirin on IL-6 and number of memory T-cells was more pronounced in subjects showing more strong reaction (bronchial and nasal).ConclusionsAERD patients have a differential baseline inflammatory pattern that supports the role inflammation as underlying mechanism of the disease. Systemic response to oral aspirin challenge was related to an increase in serum IL-6 and the number of circulating memory T-cells in AERD patients.     

Biomechanics of simulated versus natural cross-country sit skiing

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of cross-country sit-skiing in simulated and natural skiing. Thirteen international level athletes participated in a ski ergometer test (simulated conditions) and a test on snow in a ski-tunnel (natural conditions) using their personal sit-ski. Tests in both conditions were performed at individual maximal speed. When comparing the two conditions the main results were: (1) maximal speed in simulated conditions was lower (p < 0.05) but correlated well with the natural condition (r = 0.79, p < 0.001); (2) no differences in pole force variables were found; peak force (r = 0.77, p < 0.01) and average force (r = 0.78, p < 0.01) correlated well; (3) recovery time and time to peak did not differ and time to impact correlated with each other (r = 0.88, p < 0.01); (4) no differences were found in peak electromyography (EMG) and average EMG for Triceps, Pectoralis, and Erector Spinae; Rectus Abdominis did not differ in peak. EMG peak and average EMG of all muscles were correlated between the two conditions (r = 0.65–0.94; p < 0.05–0.01). Although some differences were observed, this study demonstrated that technical skill proficiency in natural and simulated cross-country skiing is comparable from a force production and muscle activation perspective.     

Shifts in thermoregulatory strategy during ontogeny in harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus)

Heat balance can be difficult for young and/or small animals in polar regions because environmental conditions in combination with small body size or physiological immaturity can increase heat loss. We investigated how thermoregulatory patterns change with ontogeny in 5 age classes of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) from birth to post-molt to further understand the timing of thermoregulatory development in relation to their potential vulnerability to ongoing fluctuations in the extent and stability of Arctic pack ice. We measured changes in the amount, conductivity, and resistance of the seal pups׳ insulative layers (blubber and fur), the potential for endogenous heat-generation by shivering (muscle enzyme activity), and nonshivering thermogenesis (NST; brown adipose tissue (BAT) uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression and mitochondrial density). There was no significant difference in blubber conductivity among age classes, though the amount of blubber insulation significantly increased from birth to weaning. Pelage conductivity was low (0.12±0.01 W m⁻¹ °C⁻¹) except in 9-day old pups (0.40±0.08 W m⁻¹ °C⁻¹); the significantly higher conductivity may signal the beginning of the molt, and this age group may be the most vulnerable to early water entry. Citrate synthase activity significantly increased (49.68±3.26 to 75.08±3.52 μmol min⁻¹ g wet weight⁻¹) in the muscle; however it is unlikely that increasing a single enzyme greatly impacts heat generation. BAT of younger pups contained UCP1, though expression and mitochondrial density quickly declined, and the ability of pups to produce heat via NST was lost by weaning. While total thermal resistance did not differ, neonatal and early nursing animals gained the majority of their thermal resistance from lanugo (82.5±0.03%); however, lanugo is not insulative when wet, and NST may be important to maintain euthermia and dry the coat if early immersion in water occurs. By late nursing, blubber seems sufficient as insulation (75.87±0.01% of resistance after 4 weeks), but high conductivity of fur may be responsible for retention of UCP1 expression. Weaned animals rely on blubber insulation, and no longer need NST, as wetted fur is no longer a threat to euthermia.     

Effect of cyanobacterial extracellular products on high-frequency in vitro induction and elongation of Gossypium hirsutum L organs through shoot apex explants

The challenging task of bringing high efficiency transformed plants attracts lot of attention in recent times. In search for this, there have been many attempts made using, different techniques like tissue culture and plant breeding methods. Here we report a suitable alternative facile route, where cyanobacterial extracellular products are utilized as growth regulators and its performance validated on Gossypium hirsutum L. MS medium is tested with cyanobacterial extracellular products of Nostoc ellipsosporum, Dolichospermum flos-aquae and Oscillatoria acuminata .Our best results show that the addition of O. acuminata extracellular product with plant growth hormones gives the excellent induction and elongation in cotton. In addition to this, the multiple shoot was obtained on MS medium fortified with 1.0 mg L^?1 BA with 8% O. acuminata and 1.5 mg L^?1 TDZ with 12% O. acuminata. High frequency of shoot elongation supplemented with MS medium, iP 2.5 mg L^?1 and 16% O. acuminata and root production MS medium fortified with 12% O. acuminata best responsible for regeneration in cotton plants. The rooted plants were hardened and transferred to soil with 90% survival rate.     

Pentraxin 3 is an anti-inflammatory protein associated with lipid-induced interleukin 10 in vitro

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein expressed in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli during atherosclerosis. However, recent findings suggest that PTX3 is a counter-regulatory protein which enhances the anti-inflammatory response.ObjectiveTherefore, the capacity of PTX3 to alter the inflammatory milieu following in vitro stimulation of PBMCs with the pro-inflammatory lipid, palmitate, was examined.MethodsPBMCs from 17 healthy male donors were isolated and cultured under four separate conditions; 200 μmol/L palmitate, a physiologically relevant concentration of PTX3, in combination (pal + PTX3), and an unstimulated time-course control.ResultsPalmitate-induced production of the counter-regulatory protein PTX3 was positively associated with the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) following in vitro stimulation of human PBMCs. Furthermore, stimulation of PBMCs in vitro with 500 pg/mL PTX3 elicited a significantly greater increase in IL-10 production compared to the palmitate stimulated conditions. However, PTX3 stimulation did not result in the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and when combined with palmitate, did not alter the pro-inflammatory milieu from PBMCs in this study.ConclusionThese findings provide evidence supporting the role of PTX3 as a mediator of the anti-inflammatory response in physiologically relevant conditions, and suggests that PTX3 counter regulates the development of atherosclerosis by enhancing the production of IL-10.     

Peripheral arterial stiffness is associated with higher baseline plasma uric acid: A prospective cohort study

This prospective cohort study aimed at identifying association between uric acid (UA) and peripheral arterial stiffness. A prospective cohort longitudinal study was performed according to an average of 4.8 years’ follow-up. The demographic data, anthropometric parameters, peripheral arterial stiffness (carotid-radial pulse-wave velocity, cr-PWV) and biomarker variables including UA were examined at both baseline and follow-up. Pearson’s correlations were used to identify the associations between UA and peripheral arterial stiffness. Further logistic regressions were employed to determine the associations between UA and arterial stiffness. At the end of follow-up, 1447 subjects were included in the analyses. At baseline, cr-PWV (r = 0.200, p < 0.001) was closely associated with UA. Furthermore, the follow-up cr-PWV (r = 0.145, p < 0.001) was also strongly correlated to baseline UA in Pearson’s correlation analysis. Multiple regressions also indicated the association between follow-up cr-PWV (β = 0.493, p = 0.013) and baseline UA level. Logistic regressions revealed that higher baseline UA level was an independent predictor of arterial stiffness severity assessed by cr-PWV at follow-up cross-section. Peripheral arterial stiffness is closely associated with higher baseline UA level. Furthermore, a higher baseline UA level is an independent risk factor and predictor for peripheral arterial stiffness.     

Marked differences of haplotype tagging SNP distribution,linkage, and haplotype profile of IL23 receptor gene in Roma and Hungarian population samples

Polymorphisms of the interleukin-23 receptor (IL23R) gene have been found to play an important role in the development of several autoimmune diseases. We examined five susceptible (rs10889677, rs1004819, rs2201841, rs11805303, rs11209032), one protective (rs7517847) and two neutral variants (rs7530511, rs1884444) of the IL23R gene in pooled DNA of healthy Roma (Gipsy) and Hungarian population samples. Our aim was to determine the genetic variability of the major haplotype tagging polymorphisms, and the haplotype profile of IL23R between the two groups. We analyzed 273 healthy Roma and 253 Hungarian DNA samples using PCR/RFLP assay. Comparing the five susceptible conferring alleles, there were significant increase (p < 0.05), while in the protective alleles, there were decrease in the allele frequencies in Roma population (p < 0.05). One of the neutral alleles showed increase, the another one did not differ between the two groups. The haplotype analysis of the SNPs revealed fundamentally different association types of SNPs in the two groups; moreover, the frequencies of the various haplotypes also exhibited strong differences, as of ht4 and ht5 haplotypes were significantly higher, whereas the frequencies of ht2 and ht3 haplotypes were significantly lower in the Roma population than in Hungarians (p < 0.05). The data presented here show profound differences in the IL23R genetic profiles in the Roma population, that likely has also clinical implications in respect their possible role in the development of certain immunological diseases.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of two diastereomeric lignan amides serving as dimeric caffeic acid-l-DOPA hybrids

Two new diastereomeric lignan amides (4 and 5) serving as dimeric caffeic acid-l-DOPA hybrids were synthesized. The synthesis involved the FeCl₃-mediated phenol oxidative coupling of methyl caffeate to afford trans-diester 1a as a mixture of enantiomers, protection of the catechol units, regioselective saponification, coupling with a suitably protected l-DOPA derivative, separation of the two diastereomers thus obtained by flash column chromatography and finally global chemoselective deprotection of the catechol units. The effect of hybrids 4 and 5 and related compounds on the proliferation of two breast cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential and estrogen receptor status (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and of one epithelial lung cancer cell line, namely A-549, was evaluated for concentrations ranging from 1 to 256 μM and periods of treatment of 24, 48 and 72 h. Both hybrids showed interesting and almost equipotent antiproliferative activities (IC₅₀ 64–70 μM) for the MDA-MB-231 cell line after 24–48 h of treatment, but they were more selective and much more potent (IC₅₀ 4–16 μM) for the MCF-7 cells after 48 h of treatment. The highest activity for both hybrids and both breast cancer lines was observed after 72 h of treatment (IC₅₀ 1–2 μM), probably as the result of slow hydrolysis of their methyl ester functions.     

Reference database of the gait cycle for young healthy Tunisian adults

BackgroundQuantified gait analysis is a rising technology used increasingly to assess motor disorders. Normal reference data are required in order to evaluate patients, but there are no reference data available for the Tunisian healthy population.AimTo assess the features of normal Tunisian gait pattern, and examine the intrinsic reliability of spatio-temporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters within a new specific reference database.MethodsEighteen healthy active-young adults (age: 23.30 ± 2.54 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.04 m and, weight: 70.00 ± 4.80 kg) have participated to five trials of step gait where the dominant lower limb were recorded. Two over the five trials were randomly selected to be further analyzed. Twenty-three spatio-temporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters determined from 3-dimensional gait analysis. The intrinsic reliability was examined for each variable and our results were compared with those available in the literature.ResultsTwelve over 23 parameters have an excellent intrinsic reliability (P > 0.05, ICC > 0.9 and SEM < 5% of the grand mean). There are similarities with other studies (P < 0.05) but we noticed the existence of some specificity (the height of hip extension peak and the low cadence of gait) that could characterize the Tunisian population.ConclusionA specific reference database of the gait cycle has been established for healthy Tunisian active-young adults and excellent inter-trial reliability may be observed for different variables.     

The anti-diabetic effects of GLP-1-gastrin dual agonist ZP3022 in ZDF rats

Aims/hypothesisCombination treatment with exendin-4 and gastrin has proven beneficial in treatment of diabetes and preservation of beta cell mass in diabetic mice. Here, we examined the chronic effects of a GLP-1-gastrin dual agonist ZP3022 on glycemic control and beta cell dysfunction in overtly diabetic Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats.MethodsZDF rats aged 11 weeks were dosed s.c., b.i.d. for 8 weeks with vehicle, ZP3022, liraglutide, exendin-4, or gastrin-17 with or without exendin-4. Glycemic control was assessed by measurements of HbA1c and blood glucose levels, as well as glucose tolerance during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Beta cell dynamics were examined by morphometric analyses of beta and alpha cell fractions.ResultsZP3022 improved glycemic control as measured by terminal HbA1c levels (6.2 ± 0.12 (high dose) vs. 7.9 ± 0.07% (vehicle), P < 0.001), as did all treatments, except gastrin-17 monotherapy. In contrast, only ZP3022, exendin-4 and combination treatment with exendin-4 and gastrin-17 significantly improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin levels during an OGTT. Moreover, only ZP3022 significantly enhanced the beta cell fraction in ZDF rats, a difference of 41%, when compared to the vehicle group (0.31 ± 0.03 vs. 0.22 ± 0.02%, respectively, P < 0.05).ConclusionThese data suggest that ZP3022 may have therapeutic potential in the prevention/delay of beta cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.     

Torque-onset determination: Unintended consequences of the threshold method

Background: Compared with visual torque-onset-detection (TOD), threshold-based TOD produces onset bias, which increases with lower torques or rates of torque development (RTD). Purpose: To compare the effects of differential TOD-bias on common contractile parameters in two torque-disparate groups. Methods: Fifteen boys and 12 men performed maximal, explosive, isometric knee-extensions. Torque and EMG were recorded for each contraction. Best contractions were selected by peak torque (MVC) and peak RTD. Visual-TOD-based torque-time traces, electromechanical delays (EMD), and times to peak RTD (tRTD) were compared with corresponding data derived from fixed 4-N m- and relative 5%MVC-thresholds. Results: The 5%MVC TOD-biases were similar for boys and men, but the corresponding 4-N m-based biases were markedly different (40.3 ± 14.1 vs. 18.4 ± 7.1 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). Boys–men EMD differences were most affected, increasing from 5.0 ms (visual) to 26.9 ms (4 N m; p < 0.01). Men’s visually-based torque kinetics tended to be faster than the boys’ (NS), but the 4-N m-based kinetics erroneously depicted the boys as being much faster to any given %MVC (p < 0.001). Conclusions: When comparing contractile properties of dissimilar groups, e.g., children vs. adults, threshold-based TOD methods can misrepresent reality and lead to erroneous conclusions. Relative-thresholds (e.g., 5% MVC) still introduce error, but group-comparisons are not confounded.     

Effects of praeruptorin C on blood pressure and expression of phospholamban in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BackgroundThe traditional Chinese medicine Praeruptorin c (Pra-c) has many physiological and pharmacological effects, including antagonistic effects on blood pressure and calcium levels, maintenance of cellular calcium homeostasis, and improved cardiac systolic and diastolic function. It is potentially a novel and versatile drug for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.ObjectiveTo explore the possible impact of Pra-c on blood pressure in SHR and its mechanism of action.Materials and methodsTwenty SHR were randomly divided into a Pra-c group [Pra-c was administered intragastrically, 20 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, n = 10] or an untreated control group (n = 10), containing 10 age-matched SD rats. Each group of rats was followed for 8 weeks. Before and during the treatment, tail artery systolic blood pressure was measured using a tail-cuff every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and RNA was extracted from homogenates of cardiac tissue. Tissue from the left ventricle was fixed, sectioned and H&E stained to assess possible changes in myocardial cell structure and morphology. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess changes in phospholamban gene expression in treated and untreated rats.ResultsSHR treated with Pra-c for 8 weeks had a lower systolic pressure than untreated SHR (p < 0.05), two measures of cardiac damage, the heart mass index and left ventricle mass index (HMI and LVMI, respectively) were improved, and the level of PLB mRNA expression was lower in the untreated SHR group (p < 0.05).Discussion and conclusionWith continuous hypertension, SHR gradually formed or developed cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pra-c had a clear effect on blood pressure in SHR, and reversed SHR ventricular remodeling by upregulating the gene expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum PLB.     

Value of 111In-Pentetreotide scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET for clinical prognosis of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms

Despite the existence of biological markers of aggressiveness, the clinical course of gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) remains difficult to predict. Discrepancies between imaging data generated with ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide scintigraphy and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET could reflect the degree of cellular de-differentiation. NEN patients with both types of studies were identified retrospectively from the SwissNET database, which is collecting information on Swiss NEN patients since 2008. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed depending on functional imaging results. Correlation between histological grading (according to the WHO 2010 classification) and functional imaging status was also assessed. We identified 31 patients with both imaging studies, either on the primary tumor site (21/31) or for metastases (21/31), with 12/31 on both sites. Mean follow-up was 36 months (95% CI 27–45). 21 patients had a metastatic disease at diagnosis and 11 died at follow-up. 7/31 (22%) were NET G1, 16/31 (52%) were NET G2 and 8/31 (26%) were NEC G3. Only ¹⁸F-FDG PET status almost reached statistical significance (P = 0.054) with histological grading. Progression free-survival was significantly poorer in the ¹⁸F-FDG positive group (n = 21), with a median time for progression of 8 months, compared to 51 months in the negative group (n = 10) with a HR of 3.2 (97.5% CI 1.1–9.5, P = 0.04). Overall survival tended to be worse with a positive PET and a negative ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide scintigraphy status with a HR 1.63 (97.5%CI 0.11–21, P = 0.08). ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide scintigraphy status was not found to be predictive of survival nor progression.ConclusionThese data demonstrate the poorer prognostic value of a positive ¹⁸F-FDG-PET imaging in this cohort of patients.     

3-Substituted-4-hydroxycoumarin as a new scaffold with potent CDK inhibition and promising anticancer effect: Synthesis,molecular modeling and QSAR studies

A new series of 3-substituted-4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for CDK inhibiting and anticancer activities. All the synthesized target compounds showed remarkably high affinity and selectivity towards CDK1B, compared to flavopiridol, with Ki values in the low nanomolar range (Ki = 0.35–0.88 nM). Most of them elicited considerable inhibiting effect against CDK9T1 (Ki = 3.26–23.45 nM). Moreover, all the target compounds were tested in vitro against eighteen types of human tumor cell lines. The hydrazone 3a, N-phenylpyrazoline derivative 6b and 2-aminopyridyl-3-carbonitrile derivative 8c were the most potent anticancer agents against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (IC₅₀ = 0.21, 0.21 and 0.23 nM, respectively). The target compounds 3a, 6b and 8c were further evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer mouse xenograft model and showed in vivo efficacy at 10 mg/kg dose. The docking study confirmed a unique binding mode in the active site of CDK1B with better score than flavopiridol. Quantitative structure activity relationship study was done and revealed a highly predictive power R² of 0.81.     

An in situ study of bioenergetic properties of human colorectal cancer: The regulation of mitochondrial respiration and distribution of flux control among the components of ATP synthasome

The aim of this study is to characterize the function of mitochondria and main energy fluxes in human colorectal cancer (HCC) cells. We have performed quantitative analysis of cellular respiration in post-operative tissue samples collected from 42 cancer patients. Permeabilized tumor tissue in combination with high resolution respirometry was used.Our results indicate that HCC is not a pure glycolytic tumor and the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system may be the main provider of ATP in these tumor cells. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) for ADP and maximal respiratory rate (V_m) values were calculated for the characterization of the affinity of mitochondria for exogenous ADP: normal colon tissue displayed low affinity (K_m = 260 ± 55 μM) whereas the affinity of tumor mitochondria was significantly higher (K_m = 126 ± 17 μM). But concurrently the V_m value of the tumor samples was 60–80% higher than that in control tissue. The reason for this change is related to the increased number of mitochondria. Our data suggest that in both HCC and normal intestinal cells tubulin β-II isoform probably does not play a role in the regulation of permeability of the MOM for adenine nucleotides.The mitochondrial creatine kinase energy transfer system is not functional in HCC and our experiments showed that adenylate kinase reactions could play an important role in the maintenance of energy homeostasis in colorectal carcinomas instead of creatine kinase.Immunofluorescent studies showed that hexokinase 2 (HK-2) was associated with mitochondria in HCC cells, but during carcinogenesis the total activity of HK did not change. Furthermore, only minor alterations in the expression of HK-1 and HK-2 isoforms have been observed.Metabolic Control analysis showed that the distribution of the control over electron transport chain and ATP synthasome complexes seemed to be similar in both tumor and control tissues. High flux control coefficients point to the possibility that the mitochondrial respiratory chain is reorganized in some way or assembled into large supercomplexes in both tissues.     

Home environment and cord blood levels of lead,arsenic, and zinc on neurodevelopment of 24 months children living in Chitwan Valley,Nepal

In a birth cohort living in Chitwan Valley, lowland Nepal, we have previously reported inverse associations between in utero levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and neurodevelopment at birth measured by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, third edition (NBAS III). In the present paper, a follow-up of the same cohort was made on 24-month-old infants regarding the neurodevelopmental effects of these metals, taking the postnatal environment into account. In total, the same100 mother-infant pairs as the previous study, whose Pb, As, and Zn concentrations in cord blood were known, were recruited. Postnatal raising environment was evaluated using the Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. Neurodevelopment of children at 24 months of age (n = 74) was assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID II). Multivariable regression adjusting for covariates was performed to determine the associations of in utero levels of toxic and essential elements and the home environment with neurodevelopment scores. Unlike the NBAS III conducted for newborns, none of the BSID II cluster scores in 24-month-old infants were associated with cord blood levels of Pb, As, and Zn. The total HOME score was positively associated with the mental development scale (MDI) score (coefficient = 0.67, at 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.31). In this cohort, a detrimental effect of in utero Pb and As on neurodevelopmental indicators observed at birth disappeared at 24 months, while an association between neurodevelopment and home environment continued.