Abstract: The present invention provides novel biomarkers associated with Down syndrome. In particular, biomarkers identified from a proteome analysis of blood samples collected from affected individuals are disclosed that can be used to evaluate the disease spectrum of each individual with Down syndrome. Methods of using such biomarkers to develop diagnostics and therapeutics for prognosis and treatment of the conditions and diseases accompanying Down syndrome, and to develop diagnostics and therapeutics for prognosis and treatment of conditions and diseases prevalent in typical individuals but rare in individuals with Down syndrome are also described.

Abstract: A crystalline swellable sheet silicate of the saponite type, of the formula[Mg.sub.6 (Si.sub.8-x Al.sub.x)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4 ].sup.x-.(x/z)M.sup.z+ n H.sub.2 Oin whichx is a number which is less than 1.5 but at least 0.2,z is an integer from 1 to 3,M denotes a cation having the valency of z andn is a number less than 20, is prepared. For this purpose, an aqueous solution or suspension containing magnesium ions, a silica source, an alumina source and a sodium oxide source are combined. The atomic ratio of Mg/Si and Mg/Al used in this procedure correspond to the composition of the desired saponite. The atomic ration (Na-Al):(Mg+Si+3/2.Al) should be between x/5 and 1, Na denoting the amount of sodium atoms present in alkaline compounds. The pH of the reaction mixture should be at least 9.0. The crystals of the resulting synthetic saponite in the sodium form are separated off from the mother liquor and, if appropriate, treated with an aqueous solution or suspension of a salt having the cation M.sup.

Abstract: Gel-forming organophilic layer silicate whose exchangeable cations have been wholly or partly replaced by a quaternary ammonium compound of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be identical or different and denote C.sub.6 C.sub.30 -alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.30 -alkenyl, R.sub.3 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, R.sub.4 denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, A denotes the group --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 -- or --C.sub.3 H.sub.6 -- and n denotes 1 or 2. These organically modified layer silicates are used as thixotroping agents, for example for surface coatings and antirust primers.