Downsyndrome.com

NEW YORK — Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), a developer of next-generation medical DNA technologies, has announced that its recently announced plans to begin human clinical studies on its proprietary diagnostic technology has been reported in a recent issue of widely distributed medical industry newsletter, "Crain’s Health Pulse."

The article noted the recent agreement signed between Xenomics and the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System, one of the nation’s largest healthcare institutions, to begin conducting human clinical studies in the next development phase of the Company’s proprietary Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA) technology. Xenomics’ pioneering technology involves the analysis of fragments of DNA that have moved from the blood stream through the kidneys, where they accumulate in urine and can be collected for chromosomal examination and detection of disease or other genetic issues.

Xenomics believes its technology will revolutionize prenatal diagnostic testing, potentially replacing many prenatal tests currently in use, such as amniocentesis and the triple-screen. The risk-free tests based on the Company’s Tr-DNA technology could be conducted on easily obtained urine samples, and would be safer and more accurate than current methods. The Xenomics tests could also be conducted much earlier into pregnancy — at seven weeks, compared to 16-22 weeks for current methods.

The North Shore-LIJ trials will test the capability of Xenomics’ Tr-DNA technology to accurately and safely detect Down syndrome through the analysis of urine samples collected from pregnant women. "North Shore-LIJ Health System is conducting a clinical trial offering pregnant women a noninvasive urine alternative to amniocentesis," according to the notice in the May 26 issue of "Crain’s Health Pulse."

About Crain’s Health Pulse

Crain’s Health Pulse is a daily bulletin that covers the business of health care. It supplies information on mergers and affiliations, contracts, executive appointments, regulatory actions and legislative developments. The newsletter covers hospitals, health maintenance organizations, physician practices and investment bankers, and other areas of the health care industry.

About Xenomics, Inc.

Xenomics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development of DNA-based tests using Transrenal DNA (Tr-DNA). Xenomics’ patented technology uses safe and simple urine collection and can be applied to a broad range of applications, including prenatal genetic testing, tumor detection and monitoring, tissue transplantation, infectious disease detection, genetic testing for forensic identity determination, drug development, and research to counter bioterrorism. Scientists from Xenomics were the first to report that fragments of DNA from normal cell death cross the kidney barrier and can be detected in urine. The Company believes that its technology will open significant new markets in the molecular diagnostics field. Xenomics has three issued U.S. patents covering different applications of the technology for molecular diagnostics and genetic testing and a pending European patent for the same applications. The Company has organized a joint venture to conduct research on infectious disease detection with the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive "Lazarus Spallanzani") in Rome, in the form of a new R&D company called SpaXen Italia, S.R.L. For more information, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/website.html. For more investor-specific information, including daily and historical Company stock quote data and recent news releases, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics. To read or download the Company’s Investor Fact Sheet visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/factsheet.html. To view an online video about Xenomics technology and products, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/video.html. A TV news report about the Company’s next-generation prenatal tests can be viewed at http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/ny1_video.html.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are indicated by words such as "expect," "might," "should," "anticipate" and similar words indicating uncertainty in facts and figures. Although Xenomics believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. As discussed in the periodic reports of Xenomics, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the following factors, among others: uncertainties associated with product development, the risk that Xenomics will not obtain approval to market its products, the risk that Xenomics’ technology will not gain market acceptance, the risks associated with dependence upon key personnel, and the need for additional financing.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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IRVINE, Calif. — eGene Inc. (OTCBB:EGEI) today announced that its bench-type high-performance genetic analyzer (HDA-GT12) with its gel cartridge kit was utilized to identify Down syndrome model segmentally trisomic mice. The Ts65Dn segmentally trisomic mouse is a widely used model to study Down syndrome (DS). The research was conducted by the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. The research result is published in Analytical Biochemistry Volume 340 issue 2, May 2005.

"We believe that eGene’s automated HDA-GT12 genetic analyzer with its gel cartridge kit provides researchers with a comprehensive approach in the study of gene expression and its abnormalities that cause genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. The HDA-GT12 system could provide the high-quality data in a few minutes and at low-system and reagents cost. Our technology and systems are uniquely capable of addressing the analytical tool needs for genetic research and screening," said Dr. Ming S. Liu, vice president, Biological Systems Solutions, of eGene.

The Ts65Dn segmentally trisomic mouse possesses an extra copy of a segment of chromosome 16 translocated to chromosome 17. This segment includes the mouse homolog of the Down syndrome critical region of human chromosome 21. The Ts65Dn mouse serves as a useful model to study the developmental regulation of the Down syndrome phenotype. In the research the targeted DNA fragments were resolved and quantified by the high-performance DNA analysis system, HDA-GT12 genetic analyzer, a high-throughput, multichannel, microcapillary electrophoresis instrument. The result has shown the precise and efficient identification of trisomic and disomic animals at any developmental stage with minimally invasive procedures.

"Most genetic testing today is done using the ‘traditional’ method of Slab-Gel-Electrophoresis technology platform. It is labor-intensive, often highly dependent on operator technique, time-consuming, and often a subjective process that can take hours or days. The origin of eGene and its product initiatives arose out of an assessment of emerging advanced, fast and low-cost genetic testing information needs for improved decision making, inspired by the high performance standards of the global genome project," said Dr. Udo Henseler, CEO of eGene. "We perceived early that a significant market need, price, productivity and technology gap was developing in the neglected small to midsize markets, which are our target segments and are to a very large extent serviced by the ‘traditional’ technology."

About eGene Inc.

eGene Inc. offers low-cost, micro-fluidic, miniaturized, digital Genetic Analyzer Systems, which are critical to the present and future of microbial and biological materials testing applications. The company’s products detect, quantify, identify and characterize micro-organisms at unprecedented specificity and sensitivity, and automate routine and non-routine laboratory and industrial procedures critical to product safety, development, quality and productivity. For more information, visit eGene’s Web site at: www.egeneinc.com; view its reports that have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are contained in the Edgar archives at www.sec.gov.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors. The company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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Byline: Burt Constable When she accidentally lets it slip to her mother that she sat next to a boy named Will during school lunch, an embarrassed Katie Yamamoto giggles. As the family’s black lab scampers away with one of Katie’s dirty socks in its mouth, the 18-year-old delivers a raucous belly laugh.

A discussion of Katie’s karate workout on the punching bag in the basement leads her mother, Jan, to quip, "We won’t do it with you because we’re afraid of you." This sends Katie into conniptions on the couch. She curls into a ball, grabs her bare feet and howls …

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Dr. Nidhi Vohra, director of the center for prenatal diagnosis at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, has helped test pregnant women’s babies for Down syndrome for years. After blood work and a sonogram, she’d tell patients to go home and wait until the data was processed. Not anymore.

Lately, she’s been using a mail-in test known as the Ultra Screen Instant Risk Assessment created by NTD Laboratories, a Huntington Station-based company that provides results in doctors’ offices.

The Instant Risk Assessment test, or IRA, is a non-invasive screening for Down syndrome. It also detects Trisomy 18, another chromosomal disorder.

The test, which is 91 percent effective, starts with blood sent into NTD for evaluation as of the ninth week.

We can actually have the mother take a drop of blood from her finger at home and spot it on a piece of special paper the doctor provides, said Dr. James Macri, NTD president and lab director. The mother forwards that in a special envelope.

The results are combined with an ultrasound given at 11 weeks. Screening results, which show how likely a baby will have Down syndrome, are provided on the spot.

The big deal about it is the patient gets the result instantaneously, Vohra said. She knows whether the risk has increased or has a reassurance of a normal baby.

Dr. Dan O’Keeffe, a fetal medicine specialist at Phoenix Perinatal Associates, said the system gives us the ability to detect chromosomal abnormalities at the earliest possible moment.

But it also gives most of our patients instant relief to know their babies are normal with the smallest risk factor possible, he said. You can’t imagine the relief we see on the faces of both mother and fathers-to-be when we give them the good news results on the spot.

Since the test is more than 90 percent accurate, Vohra said, it’s a useful screening tool, but not a definitive way to determine Down syndrome by itself.

It is not diagnostic, which is a yes/no answer, Macri added.

The test, however, could replace amniocentesis or amnio in cases where people are found to be at low risk.

Vohra said there’s a 0.5 percent risk of losing a child from an amnio. CVS, or chorionic villus sampling, in which samples are taken from the placenta, involves a similar risk.

Normally they were offering amnio or CVS to everybody over 35, Vohra said. The patients look at it. If their risk has gone down significantly, they probably don’t need the amnio. But this is still not 100 percent.

She said she thinks the mail-in test is catching on.

It’s picking up. This was just introduced recently, said Vohra. We’re seeing more and more physicians talking to their patients and having them send the blood [work] through the mail.

Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

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NEW YORK — Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), a developer of next-generation medical DNA technologies, announced today that it has filed a provisional patent connected to its discovery of methods to detect the genetic abnormality Down syndrome through the Company’s proprietary Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA) detection technology.

"This is a major milestone accomplishment because it demonstrates the progress we are making in the development of noninvasive prenatal diagnostic tests for the public," said Xenomics’ CEO Dr. Randy White. "The discovery of these markers by our scientific team and the filing of this patent also underscore the viability of our primary mission to create and market a simple urine test that effectively, easily and safely screens for Down syndrome in the fetus of pregnant mothers, based on our Tr-DNA technology platform."

The Xenomics provisional patent provides for methods that use a comparative analysis of carefully selected fragments of DNA contained in Chromosome 21, where the abnormality in Down syndrome patients occurs. Among certain of these fragments, called CpG islands, very specific markers referred to as methylation sites, have been found which are clearly distinct from normal chromosomal DNA. This invention is expected to be useful for diagnosing the presence or absence of Down syndrome using DNA samples taken from maternal bodily fluids, including urine, plasma, serum and amniotic fluid.

In the Xenomics study, two distinctive genetic markers were found in repeated studies of DNA obtained from nine volunteers who have Down syndrome. Those two markers were not present in samples collected from a control group of people who do not have Down syndrome.

The provisional patent filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office validates Xenomics’ continued progress in the development of its revolutionary Tr-DNA technology platform, which can detect DNA that traverses the kidneys and eventually are eliminated in the urine. The Company is using its unique technology platform to develop a range of tests for genetic abnormalities, HIV, TB and other diseases and conditions.

Xenomics recently announced execution of signed contracts to begin human clinical trials to test prenatal tests based on its proprietary Down syndrome detection technology. The clinical trials will be conducted in collaboration with two prominent healthcare centers, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, one of the nation’s largest healthcare institutions, and Eastern Virginia Medical School, a leading research and healthcare institution.

"We are anxious to begin further validation of these important markers on clinical samples," said Dr. Samuil Umansky, Xenomics co-founder and President. "Even as we begin our clinical studies we will continue our efforts to look for additional markers for Down syndrome and other life-threatening genetic problems like trisomy 13 and 18."

Xenomics is dedicated to creating and eventually marketing noninvasive, prenatal tests for a wide range of diseases and health conditions. Its first initiatives focus on the development of safe, non-invasive and highly accurate urine tests to screen for Down syndrome, TB, and HIV. The Company believes its proprietary Tr-DNA technology can enable the creation of prenatal tests that are more accurate, more informative and can be conducted much earlier in pregnancy than existing DNA analysis methods, such as amniocentesis. In particular, urine analysis offers none of the risks, discomforts or costs associated with amniocentesis, in which amniotic fluid is extracted through a nine-inch needle inserted into the uterus, to obtain fetal DNA.

About Xenomics, Inc.

Xenomics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development of DNA-based tests using Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA). Xenomics’ patented technology uses safe and simple urine collection and can be applied to a broad range of applications, including prenatal genetic testing, tumor detection and monitoring, tissue transplantation, infectious disease detection, genetic testing for forensic identity determination, drug development, and research to counter bioterrorism. Scientists from Xenomics were the first to report that fragments of DNA from normal cell death cross the kidney barrier and can be detected in urine. The Company believes that its technology will open significant new markets in the molecular diagnostics field. Xenomics has three issued U.S. patents covering different applications of the technology for molecular diagnostics and genetic testing and a pending European patent for the same applications. The Company has organized a joint venture to conduct research on infectious disease detection with the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive "Lazarus Spallanzani") in Rome, in the form of a new R&D company called SpaXen Italia, S.R.L. For more information, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/website.html. For more investor-specific information, including daily and historical Company stock quote data and recent news releases, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics. To read or download the Company’s Investor Fact Sheet, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/factsheet.html. To view an online video about Xenomics technology and products, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/video.html. A TV news report about the Company’s next-generation prenatal tests can be viewed at http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/ny1_video.html.

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NEW YORK — Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), a developer of next-generation medical DNA technologies, is profiled in a recent issue of a leading industry newsletter, Diagnostic Testing and Technology Report. The newsletter cited Xenomics’ innovative work in the field of prenatal diagnostics to develop non-invasive testing for Down syndrome, based on its proprietary Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA) technology.

"Xenomics (New York City) is developing a urine DNA test for detecting Down’s Syndrome that could provide pregnant women with a safer and quicker alternative to amniocentesis tests," the article states.

Xenomics’ proprietary technology test involves the analysis of transrenal nucleic acids (Tr-NA’s) - fragments of DNA that have moved from the blood stream through the kidneys, where they accumulate in urine. In the article, Dr. Randy White, CEO of Xenomics, is quoted: "These (DNA) pieces are unique, and we can tell where they came from–from a fetus, from a tumor, from a transplanted organ." He also discusses some of the important anticipated advantages in prenatal diagnostic testing that the proprietary Xenomics technology is designed to enable.

Currently, the two most popular parental tests for Down syndrome are amniocentesis (an invasive and potentially risky procedure that uses a needle to draw out amniotic fluid,) and the triple screen blood test. Both, however, have serious drawbacks, as the article explains. But the medical community and its patients may not have to wait much longer for the availability of simple, non-invasive and highly accurate tests based on Xenomics Tr-DNA detection technology. "A homebrew version of the Xenomics test could be on the market within 18 months with FDA clearance possible by year-end 2006," Dr. White says in the article. "Reference labs could perform the test for about $400 with a turnaround time of less than 24 hours."

The tests Xenomics is developing can also be conducted earlier in pregnancy than existing tests - as early as six or eight weeks, compared to 15 weeks for the triple screen, or 16-22 weeks into pregnancy for amniocentesis.

Dr. White says it is an important validation that Xenomics’ work is being recognized in this well-read and respected diagnostics industry newsletter. "We always appreciate the opportunity to spotlight our work, which we believe will lead to superior, simpler and safer medical diagnostic methods. In the not too distant future, our Transrenal-DNA technology could become the new standard for detecting a range of serious diseases and health conditions, from Down syndrome to HIV and TB."

About Xenomics, Inc.

Xenomics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development of DNA-based tests using Transrenal DNA (Tr-DNA). Xenomics’ patented technology uses safe and simple urine collection and can be applied to a broad range of applications, including prenatal testing, tumor detection and monitoring, tissue transplantation, infectious disease detection, genetic testing for forensic identity determination, drug development, and research to counter bioterrorism. Scientists from Xenomics were the first to report that fragments of DNA from normal cell death cross the kidney barrier and can be detected in urine. The Company believes that its technology will open significant new markets in the molecular diagnostics field. Xenomics has three issued U.S. patents covering different applications of the technology for molecular diagnostics and genetic testing and a pending European patent for the same applications. The Company has organized a joint venture to conduct research on infectious disease detection with the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive "Lazarus Spallanzani") in Rome, in the form of a new R&D company called SpaXen Italia, S.R.L. For more information, please visit http://xenomics.com. For more investor-specific information, including daily and historical Company stock quote data and recent news releases, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics. To read or download the Company’s Investor Fact Sheet visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/factsheet.html. To view an online video about Xenomics technology and products, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/video.html. A TV news report about the Company’s next-generation prenatal tests can be viewed at http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/ny1_video.html.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are indicated by words such as "expect," "might," "should," "anticipate" and similar words indicating uncertainty in facts and figures. Although Xenomics believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. As discussed in the periodic reports of Xenomics, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the following factors, among others: uncertainties associated with product development, the risk that Xenomics will not obtain approval to market its products, the risk that Xenomics’ technology will not gain market acceptance, the risks associated with dependence upon key personnel, and the need for additional financing.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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NEW YORK — Xenomics, Inc. (OTCBB:XNOM), a developer of next-generation medical DNA technologies, has executed a contract with North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System, one of the nation’s largest healthcare institutions, to begin conducting human clinical studies in the next development phase of the Company’s revolutionary Transrenal-DNA (Tr-DNA) technology. The study will test the technology’s ability to non-invasively detect Down syndrome in unborn babies using a safe and simple urine collection from the mother.

Under the research agreement, which is subject to institutional review board approval, Xenomics and North Shore-LIJ will collaborate to begin human clinical studies of the Company’s safe, inexpensive and non-invasive medical tests to detect Down syndrome, a serious genetic abnormality, in unborn children. North Shore-LIJ, a 14-hospital network serving Long Island, Queens and Staten Island that treats a large population of high-risk pregnancy patients, will provide Xenomics scientists with anonymous urine samples from expectant mothers carrying children identified with Down syndrome. This will enable Xenomics to conduct the next phase of clinical studies as it develops its technology for the diagnostic marketplace.

"The agreement with North Shore-LIJ will give us access to human clinical samples and outcome data, which are required by the FDA in the development of any new commercial diagnostic product. As such, it represents a critical turning point in our timeline to develop commercially available prenatal genetic tests for Down syndrome using our Tr-DNA technology," said Dr. Randy White, CEO of Xenomics. "When developed, the great advantage of our test will be that it poses no risk to mother or child, can be performed significantly earlier in the pregnancy than current procedures, and requires only a simple urine collection from the mother. North Shore’s commitment to help us develop the test is a significant validation for Xenomics and we are honored to be working with them."

Dr. Thomas Sodeman, Chairman of Laboratory Medicine at North Shore-LIJ, will be principal investigator on the Xenomics study. "A non-invasive test to detect genetic abnormalities would greatly reduce risks to patients. We recognize how important this is, especially during a time like pregnancy when patients are already at enough risk," said Dr. Sodeman.

The executed research contract is subject to approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York, which oversees hundreds of clinical trials being conducted at North Shore-LIJ. Institutional review boards are administrative offices at medical and scientific research institutions that oversee the conduct of all studies involving human subjects.

Xenomics is developing a new generation of unique tests based on its technology to detect Transrenal-DNA - that is, genetic material released through normal cell death that has passed through the kidneys and is eliminated in the urine. Among the medical tests Xenomics is developing with this proprietary technology are prenatal screening methods that can detect a range of fetal conditions and abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. Current practices to detect Down syndrome require amniocentesis, a delicate and potentially risky procedure that extracts amniotic fluid from the uterus through insertion of a 9-inch needle.

By contrast, Xenomics tests present no risk to mother or child. They require only a safe, non-invasive urine sample. Preliminary work showed an ability to detect fetal DNA as early as seven weeks into pregnancy, instead of the 15- to 22-week window commonly used in amniocentesis. Because it is a molecular test, it is easier for the laboratory to perform and the turnaround time is significantly faster than current methods. When developed, the test is expected to be a fraction of the price of existing test procedures. The project Xenomics is slated to conduct with North Shore-LIJ is entitled, "Development of a Non-Invasive First Trimester Screening Test for Down Syndrome."

About North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System

The nation’s third largest, non-profit, secular healthcare system, the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System provides care for people at all stages of illness throughout Long Island, Queens and Staten Island — a service area encompassing more than five million people. The health system includes 14 hospitals, four long-term care facilities, a medical research institute, three trauma centers, five home health agencies and dozens of outpatient centers. North Shore-LIJ facilities house more than 5,576 beds, and are staffed by over 7,000 physicians, 7,000 nurses and a total workforce of more than 35,000 — the largest employer on Long Island and the ninth largest in New York City. For more information, visit www.northshorelij.com.

About Xenomics, Inc.

Xenomics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development of DNA-based tests using Transrenal DNA (Tr-DNA). Xenomics’ patented technology uses safe and simple urine collection and can be applied to a broad range of applications, including prenatal genetic testing, tumor detection and monitoring, tissue transplantation, infectious disease detection, genetic testing for forensic identity determination, drug development, and research to counter bioterrorism. Scientists from Xenomics were the first to report that fragments of DNA from normal cell death cross the kidney barrier and can be detected in urine. The Company believes that its technology will open significant new markets in the molecular diagnostics field. Xenomics has three issued U.S. patents covering different applications of the technology for molecular diagnostics and genetic testing and a pending European patent for the same applications. The Company has organized a joint venture to conduct research on infectious disease detection with the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Instituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive "Lazarus Spallanzani") in Rome, in the form of a new R&D company called SpaXen Italia, S.R.L. For more information, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/website.html. For more investor-specific information, including daily and historical Company stock quote data and recent news releases, please visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics. To read or download the Company’s Investor Fact Sheet visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/factsheet.html. To view an online video about Xenomics technology and products, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/video.html. A TV news report about the Company’s next-generation prenatal tests can be viewed at http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/xenomics/ny1_video.html.

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Who:  Celebrity Mickey Jones (HOME IMPROVEMENT) will serve as the
      Grand Marshall and Host of this event for motorcyclists and
      individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
      Entertainment at the event will be provided by the band Blue
      Powda Monkeys and comics, Fred Burns, Rosie Reed and Tracy
      Ashton.

What: A motorcycle ride and fund raiser in support of individuals with
      Down syndrome culminating with a Bar-B-Q and program including
      music and comics who all happen to have disabilities.
      Activities will be available for children attending the event.
      A raffle will also be held.

Where:

         Ride begins at both:

         Harley Davidson/Buell of Glendale    Laidlaw's Harley
         3717 San Fernando Road               Davidson of Baldwin Park
         Glendale, CA                         1919 Puente Avenue
         Mickey Jones will start here         Baldwin Park, CA

         Ride completes with event at:  Memorial Park
                                        Foothill Blvd and Hospital
                                        Parkway
                                        Upland, CA

When:               Saturday, May 14th
                    Check in: 10 AM
                    Riders leave at 10:30 AM
                    Lunch in Upland at 12 Noon.

Registration: Application available online at www.dsala.org under
              DSALA Events.

Visuals:            Bikers leaving Harley Dealers, traveling to
                    Memorial Park
                    Bikers with cute babies and kids with Down
                    syndrome

               Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles
            315 Arden Avenue, Suite 25, Glendale, CA 91203
                             www.dsala.org

COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) — Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning footballer Romario said that the birth of his sixth child with Down’s Syndrome had made him “a happier and more tolerant” person.

Ivy, born a month ago, was the 39-year-old footballer’s second daughter from fourth wife Isabelle Bittencourt, who is in her 20s.

“It’s a gift. I’m a happier, more patient and tolerant man. I understand life more,” the footballer told the O Globo newspaper Tuesday.

Romario dedicated his final goal scored for the Brazil national side last week during their 3-0 win over Guatemala to Ivy. It was the 71st goal for Romario who is the …

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GRAPEVINE, TEX. — A drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease has shown effectiveness in improving the memory of adults with Down syndrome, Duke University researchers reported.

"The improvement in memory was promising," said Jennifer Sullivan, genetic counselor at the university, in Durham, N.C. "While language was not significantly improved in those with intelligent quotients below 55, it approached significance in those with IQs greater than 55."

Although the study was small, the results call for a longer-term study to determine whether donepezil (Aricept) …

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