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We present a study of salicylic acid and its hydrates, with up to four water molecules, done by employing chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. We employed the spectral data set of the parent, 13C, and 2H isotopologues to determine the molecular structure and characterize the intra- and intermolecular interactions of salicylic acid and its monohydrate. Complementary theoretical calculations were done to support the analysis of the experimental results. For the monomer, we analyzed structural properties, such as the angular-group-induced bond alternation (AGIBA) effect. In the microsolvates, we analyzed their main structural features dominated by the interaction of water with the carboxylic acid group. This work contributes to seeding information on how water molecules accumulate around this group. Moreover, we discussed the role of cooperative effects further stabilizing the observed inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bond interactions.

Background: The object is to analyze the influence of the nocturnal period and lunar phases on the frequency of obstetrical events in pregnant women. Methods: This was a retrospective, transversal observational study of 1409 births in a hospital from northwest Spain (α = 0.05; precision = ±2.65%). A review of patients’ clinical records was performed recording the following data: labor onset type, date of last menstrual period, parity, gestational age, duration of pre-labor and labor, type of delivery, the hour, work shift, and lunar phase pattern of events. Statistical evaluation included descriptive and inferential analysis. Results: Labor was spontaneous in 58.3% of all cases; spontaneous deliveries accounted for 54.2% of the total and 19.2% were instrumental. In the cases of spontaneous labor onset, 48.5% began during the nocturnal period. The early labor phase was less than 6 hours in 62.7% of cases (44.8% during the full moon phase). During the nocturnal period, rupture of membranes and dilation periods of less than 3 hours were more common, with 32% of spontaneous membrane rupture occurring during a full moon. A significant dependence was observed between the labor type and nocturnal period, as 40.8% of all spontaneous births, 36.2% of instrumental births and 46.9% of emergency cesarean sections occurred during the night shift. Furthermore, 66.3% of precipitous deliveries (

Background: Attention to mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum has focused on the physical aspects, overlooking mental health, which is critical to maternal well-being and childbirth. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of anxiety experienced during labor and within the first 24 hours post-delivery, in order to identify the associated social and clinical factors associated with such anxiety. Methods: We performed a prospective observational follow-up study involving 448 women. Validated state and trait anxiety questionnaires, namely State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which were employed in the study participants. All tests were performed with a bilateral approach. The p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, v.22.0, IBM Corp, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: State anxiety was more frequent among primiparous pregnant women, individuals who did not attend maternal education classes, and those with a history of prior abortion or cesarean section. Additionally, a significant association was observed with a history of mental disorder. Concerning Trait anxiety, significantly higher levels of anxiety were found in women with lower levels of education and in patients with a history of mental health issues. At 24 hours postpartum, elevated anxiety was more frequent in primiparous and significantly more frequent in patients with difficult deliveries, women whose infants were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), those lacking skin-to-skin contact, and those with previous mental health disorders. Conclusions: Insufficient maternal education, along with a complicated birthing process requiring infant hospitalization, both contribute to elevated levels of postpartum anxiety.