The limited number of patients in whom antibodies were observed a

The limited number of patients in whom antibodies were observed and the short study duration precluded meaningful analysis of potential correlations of pharmacokinetics and efficacy with immunogenicity. Efficacy and safety of vedolizumab induction therapy were evaluated in this randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients with moderately to severely active CD. In the TNF antagonist–failure population (∼75% of patients), there were high rates of long-standing disease, prior CD surgery, EX 527 nmr history of fistulizing disease, baseline CRP and fecal calprotectin

increases, and prior failure of immunosuppressives and multiple TNF antagonists. In the TNF antagonist–failure population, vedolizumab was not statistically superior to placebo for inducing clinical remission at week 6. However, secondary and exploratory outcome results suggest that vedolizumab had clinically relevant activity in TNF antagonist–failure and TNF

antagonist–naive patients. Collectively, the primary and secondary outcome results suggest that in patients with CD and previous TNF antagonist failure, effects of vedolizumab on clinical remission may not become evident until between weeks 6 and 10. Week 10 secondary outcomes were prespecified to test the hypothesis that the time to achieve remission with vedolizumab Belinostat molecular weight may be 10 weeks in patients with CD, particularly in patients with previous TNF antagonist failure. Results in the TNF antagonist–failure Demeclocycline population showed a clinically important increase over time in the proportion of vedolizumab-treated patients in remission, from 15.2% at week 6 to 26.6% at week

10. However, the remission rate in placebo-treated patients remained constant at 12.1% at weeks 6 and 10. Similar analyses of the overall population showed more vedolizumab-treated patients (19.1%) than placebo-treated patients (12.1%) in clinical remission at week 6 (treatment difference, 7.0%; 95% CI, 0.1%–13.8%; P = .048). This difference resulted from the more robust effect on this outcome in the smaller TNF antagonist–naive subgroup, which comprised 24% of the overall population. On the basis of observed differences among the TNF antagonist–naive subgroups in GEMINI 2 and 3, vedolizumab (similar to TNF antagonists) may have a more pronounced effect before the onset of structural damage, as indirectly gauged by shorter disease duration and lack of prior CD surgery. These disease characteristics were considerably more common in TNF antagonist–naive patients than in patients with prior TNF antagonist failure. Similar trends toward more pronounced effects of treatment in TNF antagonist–naive patients also have been seen with the use of a second or third TNF antagonist and with natalizumab.

[66] and [67] Although HIF-1 and HIF-2 share many

transcr

[66] and [67] Although HIF-1 and HIF-2 share many

transcriptional targets, certain genes and processes do not appear to be co-regulated. For example, anaerobic glycolysis appears to be predominantly controlled by HIF-1, 68 whereas EPO synthesis and iron metabolism have emerged as HIF-2-regulated processes. [24], [69], [70], [71], [72] and [73] In addition to canonical HRE-mediated transcription, which requires hetero-dimerization with ARNT, HIF-α modulates cellular signaling pathways through interaction with proteins that do not contain PAS domains. These include, among others, tumor suppressor protein p53, the c-MYC proto-oncogene and the Notch intracellular domain. [74], [75], [76] and [77] Under normal O2 conditions HIF-α-subunits are rapidly degraded following ubiquitylation by the VHL-E3 ubiquitin ligase ABT-199 price complex, precluding the

formation of transcriptionally active heterodimers. VHL-mediated poly-ubiquitylation requires hydroxylation of specific proline residues (Pro402 and Pro564 in human HIF-1α; Pro405 and Pro531 in human HIF-2α), which are localized within its O2-dependent degradation domain (ODD).[78], [79], [80], [81], [82], [83] and [84] Hydroxylation of HIF-α is carried out by three major 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenases (prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) proteins), PHD1, PHD2 and PHD3, also known as egl nine homolog (EGLN) 2, EGLN1, and EGLN3, respectively. These enzymes belong to a larger family of proteins, in humans there are over 60 members, which couple the oxidative decarboxylation PD-1 antibody of 2OG to various chemical processes, Amobarbital which aside from O2-sensing, include collagen synthesis and fatty acid metabolism. In mammals, these reactions produce succinate and CO2 and appear to be limited to hydroxylation and demethylation initiated by hydroxylation.85 HIF 2OG oxygenases function as O2 sensors as they require molecular O2 for catalysis. Under hypoxia, hydroxylation is inhibited

and HIF signaling is activated.86 To add complexity to the regulation of this pathway, HIF increases transcription of PHD2 and PHD3. Furthermore, protein turnover of PHD1 and PHD3 is hypoxically regulated by Siah proteins, which themselves are hypoxia-inducible. [87] and [88] All three PHDs are expressed in the kidney where they control HIF activity. Based on immunohistochemistry and RNA analysis their expression levels vary between different renal cell types.89 mRNA transcripts of all three PHDs have been detected in FACS-sorted REPC.90 A fourth potential HIF prolyl-hydroxylase, P4H-TM, localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and has been shown to hydroxylate HIF-1α-derived peptides, but not type 1 collagen. P4H-TM seems to be important for normal kidney function in zebra fish and appears to be involved in the renal EPO response in mice.

g Ban et al , 2014 and Cheung

g. Ban et al., 2014 and Cheung Forskolin cost et al., 2013) but also performing a modeling study based on a subregion of Southeast Asia (Raja Ampat, Papua, in the Indonesian archipelago – see Box 1). Specifically, we used an Ecopath with Ecosim model parameterized for the Raja Ampat

reefs (Ainsworth et al., 2008), which we extended to include responses of space-limited algae. Then we modeled the effect a progressive 0–100% reduction in extent of coral cover will have on reef community structure, and the effect of these changes on fishery production (see Box 1). This study demonstrates how reef degradation will affect reef fishery production, and thus local livelihoods and the national economy. As a first approximation for identifying priorities for immediate management response, we constructed a simple model that ranks areas according selleck products to cumulative pressures and potential user conflicts. To approximate the intensity of human impacts on tropical coastal seas around the world we used the ‘focalmean’ tool in ArcCatalog to extrapolate a population proximity index for each of the grid cells in the continental shelf region of the tropics. ‘Focalmean’ calculates a new value for each grid cell

in an existing grid, based on the value of surrounding grid cells. For our analyses, we used a circular Fossariinae region around each grid cell, which extended out to a radius of 100 grid cells. This approximated a focal mean radius of about 93 km at the equator. We created a source grid for our focal mean calculations by combining the LandScan grid with the continental shelf grid. Each of the grid cells in the shelf region of the source grid had a value of 0, and all of the terrestrial grid cells had the corresponding population count information from LandScan. We masked out all land grid cells in the resulting focal mean grid. The shelf region greater than 100 km from a coast received

a population proximity index score of zero, since those areas were assumed to receive negligible direct impacts from urbanization. We acknowledge that certain ocean-based activities (e.g. offshore mineral extraction) will have impacts not captured by our approach. The 100 km wide coastal strip comprises 21% of all land, and is occupied by over 2.6 billion people (Fig. 1) at densities from <20 km−2 to >15,000 km−2, and an average density (97 km−2) over twice that of inland regions (41 km−2). Over half these people (1.36 billion) live on tropical coasts (just 7% of all land) at even higher densities (145 km−2). Tropical coasts hold 9 of 19 coastal megacities (>10 million people each), and are most densely populated (mean of 198 km−2) in South and Southeast Asia (Balk, 2011 and von Glasow et al., 2013).

(For a comprehensive listing of CRF’s see http://www hiv lanl gov

(For a comprehensive listing of CRF’s see http://www.hiv.lanl.gov/content/sequence/HIV/CRFs/CRFs.html). By capturing A clade diversity, we capture some of the diversity found in the regions of CRF_02 that are A-like, but CRF_02 started with a recombinant founder

virus decades ago, and has been spreading and diversifying as a separate lineage (Zhang et al., 2010), and so it will have its own distinctive evolutionary trajectory. Each CRF represents its own lineage, thus by including the CRFs in diversity considerations, not just major clades, we take a more comprehensive and realistic view of global diversity than by a more narrow examination of major clades. Fig. 1B shows how many peptides were included in each clade- or CRF-specific peptide set (only sets that contain > 300 peptides are shown). If a peptide sequence was found in multiple clades/CRFs, then it was counted selleck inhibitor in multiple sets. Peptides sets from the seven most frequent clades (A, B, C, D, G, CRF_01, and CRF_02) include > 500 peptides each. PepStar peptide microarrays were produced by JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH (Berlin, Germany). All peptides were synthesized on cellulose membranes using SPOT synthesis technology. Subsequent to a final synthesis step attaching a reactivity tag to each peptide’s N-terminus, the side chains were deprotected and the solid-phase bound peptides were

transferred into 96-well microtiter filtration plates (Millipore, Bedford, MA, USA). For cleaving Enzalutamide the peptides from the cellulose membrane the individual spots were treated with aqueous triethylamine [2.5% (v/v)]. The peptide-containing solution was centrifuge-filtered into daughter plates and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. Quality control measurements using LCMS were performed on random samples of the final library. For transferring the peptides to 384 well plates, the dry peptide derivatives Niclosamide were dissolved in 35 μL of printing buffer and reformatted with automated liquid handling systems. Peptide microarrays were produced using a non-contact high performance microarray printer on epoxy-modified

slides (PolyAn; Germany). All peptides and controls were deposited in three identical sub-arrays, enabling analysis of assay homogeneity and reliability of the results. Peptide microarrays were scanned after printing process and statistical values were generated for identification and quality control of each individual spot. Subsequently, peptide microarray surfaces were deactivated using appropriate quenching solutions, washed with water and dried using microarray centrifuges. Resulting peptide microarrays were stored at 4 °C until use. Thirty-six (36) serum or plasma samples were obtained from previously performed studies in the Barouch laboratory and were selected to represent a spectrum of potential preclinical and clinical uses for the microarray.

Patients

who underwent SLUB were identified in a prospect

Patients

who underwent SLUB were identified in a prospectively collected database. A standardized technique and protocol was applied. All patients underwent see more prior EUS by a 12 MHz catheter ultrasound probe. A 20mm mini-detachable loop was “prelooped” at the rim of an 18 mm diameter soft oblique transparent cap attachment. SLUB procedure: 1) Suction to draw the SET into the cap; 2) Ligation below the tumor, confirmed by repeat miniprobe EUS; 3) Unroofing of the overlying tissue with a needle knife; 5) Biopsies from the exposed tumor. The SLUB technique was attempted in 16 patients (2 males; median age 62) and successful in all. Location: 14 in stomach, 2 in colon. Median size by EUS: 10mm. Immunohistology: GIST- 4; leiomyoma-5; Carcinoid-3; Vanek’s tumor-2; Granuloma-1; Heterotopic fundic glands -1. Five patients (31%) had follow up with confirmation of tumor ablation by endoscopy and EUS. Complications: pain in 1; there was no bleeding or perforation. 1) Mini-loop ligation of small broad-based SETs is feasible; 2) Unroofing after ligation is safe and provides sufficient tissue for immunohistolochemistry; 3) Ligation combined with unroofing appears to lead to complete ablation by ischemia and tumor enucleation. A. Small broad-based subepithelial Talazoparib solubility dmso tumor in the gastric body. B. Mini-loop ligation using the 18mm transparent ‘EMR’ cap. C. Post-ligation unroofing with a needle knife. Biopsies showed a GIST. D. Scar at site of loop

ligation. No residual tumor seen on EUS. “
“Direct cholangioscopy offers diagnostic and therapeutic options beyond ERCP for complex biliary disease. Balloon-assisted cholangioscopy (BAC) is an exciting advance because of improved image quality and lower costs. Most studies however, have been in Asian subjects with bile ducts over 8mm. To assess feasibility of BAC in complex biliary disease in a multi-ethnic, largely non-Asian patient cohort tending to have smaller bile ducts. Either 4.9 or 5.5 mm endoscopes (Olympus

N180 or XP180) used. All subjects had a preceding sphincterotomy and/or balloon sphincteroplasty. Guidewire placement into the intrahepatic biliary tree was either by ERCP or under direct cholangioscopic vision. The balloon catheter was then advanced into the intrahepatic branches and inflated as an anchor selleck to allow cholangioscope passage. Visualisation was by saline irrigation with air for the initial 25 procedures and CO2 for the remaining 49. Biliary assessment was by white light and NBI, with targeted biopsies as required. Therapeutic procedures included APC and laser lithotripsy. Technical success was passage of the scope to the hilum or stricture. 57 patients (53 non-Asian) (25M, 32F) median age 69 (31-93) yrs underwent 74 procedures. Indications included assessment of indeterminate biliary strictures and masses, ampullary adenomas and difficult stone disease. Cholangioscopy was technically successful in 53 of 57 (93%) pts. Median procedure time was 30 (12-90) min and bile duct diameter 7 (2-20) mm.

g examining individual CL/P phenotypes) [30] However, in terato

g. examining individual CL/P phenotypes) [30]. However, in teratology the economical point of view excludes the investigation of large population groups [95]; 6) In the studies devoted to zinc status assessments of the micronutrient were done in blood. Measurement of blood zinc as an indicator of zinc nutritional status is problematic in that only 0.1%

of the body’s stores are contained in the circulation [33]. Moreover, in interpreting findings on possible associations between risk factors and CL/P, we must remember that such associations from case-controlled studies may be due to factors of interest, but they may also be a result of a chance, bias, and confounding [34]. Different factors could cause the same anomaly when occurring during Alpelisib in vivo http://www.selleckchem.com/products/epacadostat-incb024360.html a specific window of susceptibility. Dosing and duration of the exposure of the fetus to an environmental factor may also be crucial [15, 96]. In summary, many genes and genetic pathways have been implicated in the development of CL/P. Etiological

heterogeneity and complex environmentgene interactions may be characteristic of abnormal palatogenesis. The most plausible scenario is that multiple candidate genes will be used to create genetic profiles or scores for CL/P risk, table 2. The diversity of embryological events that contribute to the formation of the facial structures is reflected in the large

number of genes known or suspected to be involved in clefting [97]. Some have been determined earlier in foreign populations and confirmed (e.g. IRF6, SUMO1) or not confirmed (e.g. FOXE1, MSX1) as CL/P candidate genes in the Polish population. BHMT2 is a new maternal candidate gene with relatively strong evidence. Presented data gave weaker evidence for ASS1 as a CL/P candidate gene. However, keeping in mind results from MDR analysis regarding the ASS1 rs666174 and SLC25A13 rs10252573, p values from comparisons of allele and genotype frequencies should Casein kinase 1 not be the only criteria used in assessing candidate genes. CL/P susceptibility loci at 8q24.21 is showing convincing consistency across studies, including our report [27]. Moreover, data provided in presented studies suggest the possible interaction between particular SNPs and metabolic responses to diets, table 1. The more we know about the genetic traits related to CL/P, the easier it will be to access individual risks. Folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period can largely prevent the occurrence of spina bifida, and there is thus interest in other dietetic interventions that could reduce the prevalence of other structural malformations.

There were some differences between risk and non-risk groups in t

There were some differences between risk and non-risk groups in the proportion of disease burden attributed to specific pathogens; for example H. influenzae is an important pathogen among risk group patients aged 65+ years of age but not in the

non-risk elderly. Parainfluenza was responsible for 7% of deaths in hospital among risk groups but was not identified as a cause of mortality PLX-4720 cell line among non-risk groups. Table 2 shows the average annual influenza-attributable hospital admission rate per 100,000 by strain, age and risk status. The highest admission rates for both influenza A and B are in children under five years of age, for whom the overall admission rate is 1.9/1000 (95%CI ± 0.023/1000); with no evidence of a higher overall rate in Vorinostat price those with clinical risk factors. Overall, children under 15 years of age accounted for 37% of all annual influenza-attributable hospital admissions and 52% of admissions among those in non-risk groups (Fig. 3). Among older age groups the effect of being in a risk group increased the hospital admission rate between 5.7 fold for 5–14 year olds (from 0.1 to 0.56/1000) and 1.8 fold for 65+ year olds (from 0.46

to 0.84/1000). Among those aged 15 years and over there was little contribution from influenza B to admissions. The estimated annual number of deaths in hospital from influenza for the three age groups <15, 15–64 and 65+ year olds are shown in Table 3 by G protein-coupled receptor kinase risk status. Few deaths in hospital were estimated in children under

15 years of age, the annual average of 12 in England giving an estimated mortality rate of 1.3 per million overall for this age group. The vast majority of the annual deaths occurred in the 65+ age group (1676 of 1806, 93%), particularly those with underlying co-morbidities (1298, 72% of the total). The case fatality rate in risk group patients was between 38.6 and 2.3 fold higher than among non-risk group patients, the relative risk decreasing with age. Children under 15 years of age have the highest rate of influenza-attributable episodes leading to consultations in general practice and bear the largest burden of disease due to influenza B (Table 4). Of the estimated 1,084,283 annual total consultations for influenza, 420,831 (39%) were in this age group (Supporting Table S5). For both consultations and admissions, the rates in infants under 6 months of age are particularly high, around 70 per 1000 and 3 per 1000 respectively. Unlike hospitalisations, the consultation rate for influenza does not increase in the elderly. In consequence, the ratio between consultation and admission rates varies with age and influenza strain and was lowest for the 65+ age group (9.2) and highest for 5–14 year olds (270) for both strains combined.

, 1979b and Pepys

et al , 1997) and the clinical objectiv

, 1979b and Pepys

et al., 1997) and the clinical objective of the present GMP SAP preparation was to provide material for routine clinical SAP scintigraphy in the National Amyloidosis Centre. We therefore confirmed that trace radiolabeled GMP SAP was cleared in mice in vivo Volasertib price at precisely the same rate as a non‐GMP preparation of human SAP isolated in our laboratory ( Fig. 4). Furthermore both the GMP and the non‐GMP SAP preparations localized to the same extent in the amyloidotic organs of mice with systemic AA amyloidosis. On this basis, we proceeded to use the GMP SAP for clinical scanning in patients with known or suspected amyloidosis and it has so far been deployed for this purpose in over 10,000 individuals with excellent results and no adverse effects whatsoever. Typical images are shown in Fig. 5. In four independent experiments (Table 1 and Table 2, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7)) each using PBMC from four donors (15 different donors in total since one donor donated blood for both experiments 1 and 3), neither CRP (at up to 100 μg/mL with 11 donors in 3 independent experiments), nor SAP (at up to 100 μg/mL with 4 donors in one experiment and up to 75 μg/mL

with 4 donors in one other experiment) stimulated release of TNFα, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β and IL‐10 above background values; IL‐1β and IL‐10 were measured only in response to SAP in experiment 4. In contrast, selleck endotoxin stimulated dose‐dependent cytokine release from the PBMC of all donors (Table 1 and Table 2). CRP and SAP did not significantly enhance endotoxin mediated cytokine release, nor did they interfere in any of the cytokine assays; even at 100 μg/mL of each pentraxin, the assays gave endotoxin spike recoveries of 86-182% (Table 1 and Table 2). The murine acute phase proteins, SAP and SAA, respond with exquisite sensitivity to endotoxin and

all other toxic and pro‐inflammatory materials which have been tested (Pepys et al., 1979a, Pepys et al., 2005, Pepys and Baltz, 1983, Poole et al., 1984 and Poole et al., 1986). However very high dose, ~ 30 mg/kg, intravenous bolus injections of neither GMP SAP nor GMP CRP stimulated an acute response (Table 3). This is consistent with our extensive previous experience in mice and rats receiving even higher doses of highly purified non‐GMP pentraxin Tacrolimus (FK506) preparations which were free of endotoxin contamination. It is also consistent with the present finding that neither of the pentraxin preparations stimulated cytokine release by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. The function of a human plasma protein in humans can be definitively established by studying individuals with genetic deficiency or abnormality of the protein, by investigating effects of a specific intervention which persistently depletes the protein in question, or, possibly, by administering a highly purified preparation of the intact isolated protein.

5A The recording sites and distribution of middle, central, and

5A. The recording sites and distribution of middle, central, and lateral zones are shown in Fig. 5B. The receptive fields recorded at 100-micron steps through the penetration are shown in the matrix format in Fig. 5C. In this example, the new input completely occupied the medial and lateral zones and encroached on the medial and lateral borders of the central zone. While this arrangement was most typical, 1 of the 5 rats had responsive sites distributed throughout the middle portion of the central zone. A total of 73 electrode penetrations (mean: 9.5 per animal)

http://www.selleckchem.com/products/cobimetinib-gdc-0973-rg7420.html was used to map CN at+300 μm to the obex in seven 4- and 5-WD rats; receptive fields were examined at 549 sites (mean: 79 per animal) at selleck kinase inhibitor +300 μm. A representative example is shown in Fig. 6 for one 5-WD rat. While the medial zone is completely occupied with new input, few sites

were responsive to new input in the central and lateral zones. The results for the forelimb-intact controls and deafferented groups are shown in the receptive field plots in Fig. 7. The receptive fields are partitioned into body, shoulder, and head/neck subdivisions, and each receptive field is plotted onto a standardized map of CN. Inspection of the map plots shows that even in the controls, receptive fields for each body part can be found in the medial and lateral zones. In the 1-WD rats, the central zone contains a few sites on the lateral border where shoulder and head/neck receptive fields were found. In the 2-WD rats, more sites were found in the central zone, but these were confined to the lateral edge. However in the 3-WD rats, many sites were observed in the central zone that received

input from each of the body parts; the medial and lateral zones also contained new receptive fields that were distributed throughout their zones. In contrast, the 4-WD and 5-WD rats had few examples of new input in the central zone and those that were seen were relegated to the medial and lateral borders. Interestingly, new inputs in the central zone in the 6–8-WD rats were only observed at the medial and lateral border regions, while 9–12-WD Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase had a few new fields in the dorsal part of the central zone. The one 26-WD rat and one 30-WD rat also had new receptive fields localized to the medial and lateral borders of the central zone. The dataset for the total area (μm2 as measured at +300 μm anterior to the obex) of the cuneate nucleus; total areas of medial, central, and lateral zones; and total area of the new input from the body, shoulder, and head into each zone for both controls and forelimb deafferented rats is presented in Table 2. Inspection of Table 2 shows the existence of a great deal of variability in body part maps among individual members within an experimental group, and the data were often skewed by one individual.

Seedlings of each cultivar were then

exposed to different

Seedlings of each cultivar were then

exposed to different N deficiency stress treatments at the five-leaf stage. Hoagland’s solution without N [Ca(NO3)2·4H2O] was then added to maintain various N deficiency treatments [20], including mild stress [N2: 1.5 mmol L− 1 Ca(NO3)2·4H2O], moderate stress (N1: 0.15 mmol L− 1), extreme stress (N0: 0 mmol L− 1) 17-AAG in vivo and a stress-free control (full strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution, modified). The solutions were refreshed twice a week and the pH of the nutrient solutions was adjusted to 5.5–6.5 every 2 days. An air pump was used for ventilation 24 h per day. Agronomic and physiological traits were evaluated 60 days after treatment. Sixty days after treatments, the tiller number, height (from the pot surface to the end of the longest leaf on the tallest tiller), aboveground biomass, leaf area, and root area were measured. Aboveground biomass was cut at the pot surface and separated into shoots and leaves, the leaf area was determined beta-catenin inhibitor with a LI-COR 3100 leaf area meter (Li-Cor, Lincoln, NE) and the root surface area was determined with a root scanner (Epson Expression 1000XL, Japan). Roots and rhizomes were washed free of growth media and all plant samples were treated at 105 °C for 30 min

for fixation and then oven dried at 65 °C until a constant weight was reached. The presence of rhizomes was recorded and the root to shoot weight ratio (R:S) was calculated. Gas exchange measurements were performed two weeks after treatment initiation using a portable open gas exchange system (LI-6400, LI-COR) calibrated to deliver a photosynthetic NADPH-cytochrome-c2 reductase photon flux density of 2000 μmol m− 2 s− 1 and an ambient CO2 of 400 μmol mol− 1 (supplied by a LI-COR CO2 injector) and a leaf temperature of (30 ± 1) °C. Data were collected for 2 min at 5-s intervals for three randomly chosen plants from each treatment listed above (eight replications per treatment) on the youngest fully expanded leaf on the longest tiller, as described by Barney et

al. [12]. Net CO2 assimilation (A), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs) were recorded, and photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE) was calculated (WUE = net photosynthesis/transpiration). Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b were extracted with 80% acetone from the same leaf as used for gas exchange measurements. Absorbance was measured at 663 nm and 645 nm for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, respectively, using a UV spectrophotometer (UV-2550, Shimadzu). Total chlorophyll content was calculated according to the procedure described by Lichtenthaler and Wellburn [21]. To avoid the negative influence of different cultivars on the evaluation of tolerance, the Low-N tolerance index (LNT) was calculated. This is the ratio of the index under treatment to that of the control (LNT = (value of tested traits under treatments/value of same tested traits under control) × 100%).