Downregulation of putative UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene alters flower coloring in Phalaenopsis.

Anthocyanin is the primary pigment contributing to red, violet, and blue flower color formation. The solubility of anthocyanins is enhanced by UDP glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) through transfer of the glucosyl moiety from UDP-glucose to 3-hydroxyl group to produce the first stable pigments. To assess the possibility that UFGT is involved in the flower color formation in Phalaenopsis, the transcriptional activities of PeUFGT3, and other flower color-related genes in developing red or white flower buds were examined using RT-PCR analysis.

Inter-relationships of nutrient intakes for urban Chinese spouses in Taiwan.

This study was to examine dietary intakes and the inter-relationships in urban Chinese spouses in Taipei, Taiwan. We analyzed the dietary intakes and related household factors for 82 wives and their husbands by 24-h recalls and a Chinese food frequency questionnaire (CFFQ) designed with meal sequences in Taipei, Taiwan. The distributions of energy assessed from CFFQ by meals were similar for husbands and wives, with 16% for breakfast, 39% for lunch, 40% for dinner and 5% for snacks (afternoon and evening combined).

A case-control study of the association of diet and obesity with gout in Taiwan.

Background: Gout has been a significant metabolic disorder for Chinese men in Taiwan; however, there is insufficient information on diet and lifestyle risk factors in this population.

Objective: The purpose of this case-control study was to explore potential dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with gout in Chinese men.

Design: Between 1998 and 1999, we recruited and conducted face-to-face interviews with patients from outpatient clinics in Taipei who had incident gout (n = 92) and with their healthy coworkers (controls; n = 92).