Molecular dynamics simulations of the affinity of chitin and chitosan for collagen: the effect of pH and the presence of sodium and calcium cations

Chitosan and chitin are promising biopolymers used in many areas including biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and viscosupplementation. Chitosan shares similar properties with hyaluronan, a natural component of synovial fluid, making it a good candidate for joint disease treatment. The structural and energetic consequences of intermolecular interactions are crucial for understanding the biolubrication phenomenon and other important biomedical features. However, the properties of biopolymers, including their complexation abilities, are influenced by the nature of the aqueous medium with which they interact. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to describe the effect of pH and the presence of sodium and calcium cations on the stability of molecular complexes formed by collagen type II with chitin and chitosan oligosaccharides. Based on Gibbs free energy of binding, all considered complexes are thermodynamically stable over the entire pH range. The affinity between chitosan oligosaccharide and collagen is highly influenced by pH, while oligomeric chitin shows no pH-dependent effect on the stability of molecular assemblies with collagen. On the other hand, the presence of sodium and calcium cations has a negligible effect on the affinity of chitin and chitosan for collagen

Acute aquatic toxicity of arsenic-based chemical warfare agents to Daphnia magna

Sea dumping of chemical warfare (CW) took place worldwide during the 20th century. Submerged CW included metal bombs and casings that have been exposed for 50-100 years of corrosion and are now known to be leaking. Therefore, the arsenic-based chemical warfare agents (CWAs), pose a potential threat to the marine ecosystems. The aim of this research was to support a need for real-data measurements for accurate risk assessments and categorization of threats originating from submerged CWAs. This has been achieved by providing a broad insight into arsenic-based CWAs acute toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. Standard tests were performed to provide a solid foundation for acute aquatic toxicity threshold estimations of CWA: Lewisite, Adamsite, Clark I, phenyldichloroarsine (PDCA), CWA-related compounds: TPA, arsenic trichloride and four arsenic-based CWA degradation products. Despite their low solubility, during the 48 h exposure, all CWA caused highly negative effects on Daphnia magna. PDCA was very toxic with 48 h D. magna LC50 at 0.36 mu g x L-1- and Lewisite with EC50 at 3.2 mu g x L-1 . Concentrations at which no immobilization effects were observed were slightly above the analytical Limits of Detection (LOD) and Quantification (LOQ). More water-soluble CWA degradation products showed no effects at concentrations up to 100 mg x L-1.Peer reviewe