Structure-activity methods additivity model

In addition, traditional quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were reported. Gozalbes et al. attempted to predict the blood-brain barrier permeabilities of four arylacetamides using linear discriminant analysis [65], while Medina-Franco et al. discriminated between active and inactive BCG compounds using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structural-similarity methods [66]. 

Tihe two methods of structure-activity correlation which have received the most application in the past decade are the Hansch multiple parameter method, or the so-called extrathermodynamic approach, and the Free-Wilson, or additive model. The basic differences and similarities of these methods are discussed in this presentation. 

The epoch of QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships) studies began in 1963-1964 with two seminal approaches the a-p-7i analysis of Hansch and Fujita " and the Free-Wilson method. The former approach involves three types of descriptors related to electronic, steric and hydrophobic characteristics of substituents, whereas the latter considers the substituents themselves as descriptors. Both approaches are confined to strictly congeneric series of compounds. The Free Wilson method additionally requires all types of substituents to be suflficiently present in the training set. A combination of these two approaches has led to QSAR models involving indicator variables, which indicate the presence of some structural fragments in molecules. 

The gradient elution scheme is a scaled-up procedure originally described by Middleton (10) that has been extended to handle highly refractive materials such as coal liquids. This separation technique uses Alcoa F-20 alumina activated to a 5.5 wt % moisture level as the stationary phase. Details of this separation procedure are given elsewhere (2). This method separates SRC into 13 fractions and these fractions are listed in Table II along with some key chemical and physical descriptions of the cuts. The structural types indicated in Table II for Fractions 1-6 have been assigned based upon model compound studies and low resolution mass spectrometry (MS) (2), whereas the chemical types indicated for Fractions 7-13 are based upon IR observations and additional model compound studies. Recoveries in these separations are normally greater than 90%. 

In addition to the biochemistry introduced in this chapter, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the determination of the activity of a compound by an analysis of its structure. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR), used judiciously, have the ability to help set testing priorities and identify potentially toxic materials in mixtures. Heavily reliant upon the quality of the toxicity data discussed in Chapter 4, these methods use sophisticated statistical techniques or analysis of interaction of a toxicant with the receptor to estimate toxicity. A method that uses structure-activity relationships coupled with availability and an assumed additive model for toxicity is presented to estimate the risk due to polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). 

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