Introduction: This study is an introduction to the empirical and impact evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) radiation exposure in a healthcare environment, focusing on an indoor microenvironment. It explores the expression of various genes associated with cellular responses, cell proliferation, senescence, and apoptotic cell death. The assessment analyzes current personal mobile communications (2G-5G FR1), providing a clear understanding of RF-EMF exposure and compliance with regulatory limits.Methods: The signals from different wireless communication systems at Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, were examined in 11 locations. Four measurement campaigns were performed with frequency-selective exposimeters (PEMs) and an EME Spy 200 MVG, and experimental electric field values were compared as a long-term exposition. The frequency with the highest contribution (2.174 V/m) observed (1840 MHz) in UMTS was selected for biological effects evaluation.Results: The study focuses on four locations with the highest exposure to communication systems (downlinks), analyzing the results to verify compliance with regulations that ensure the safety of patients, the general public, and healthcare workers. LTE B20 (DL), GSM+UMTS 900 (DL), GSM 1800 (DL), UMTS 2100 (DL), and LTE B7 (DL) exhibited relatively higher E/m values throughout the campaigns, and these values consistently remained below the ICNIRP reference levels, signifying a consistently low level of exposure. In addition, this work presents the biological effects on neural stem cells (NSCs) using 3D brain organoids (BOs) exposed to RF signals in a validated and commercial experimental setting: the Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic cell (GTEM). The GTEM allows for the creation of homogeneous field electromagnetic fields in a small, enclosed setting and guarantees exposure conditions in a wide range of frequencies. BOs are an in vitro 3D cell-culture technology that reproduces the cellular composition and structure of the developing brain. Analyzing the expression of several genes associated with cellular responses, cell proliferation, senescence, and apoptotic cell death, we found that exposure of BOs at 1840 MHz did not affect mRNA expression in brain genes related to apoptosis or senescence. However, a decrease in gene expression for cell proliferation and cell activity markers was observed during the differentiation stage of BOs.Discussion: The discussion emphasizes the coexistence and evolution of various heterogeneous networks and services throughout the four measurement campaigns. Across all measured results, the levels of the obtained E-field were consistently well below the exposure limits set by internationally accepted standards and guidelines. These obtained values have been established in order to consider their potential effects on cell proliferation and cell activity, especially in differentiating biological organisms. Consequently, the results obtained and the methodology presented could serve as a foundational framework for establishing the basis of RF-EMF assessment in future heterogeneous 5G developments, particularly in the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, where the forecast is for massive high-node density networks.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the mumps virus (MuV). However, MuV has re-emerged in many countries with high vaccine coverage. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends molecular surveillance based on sequencing of the small hydrophobic (SH) gene. Additionally, the combined use of SH and non-coding regions (NCR) has been described in different studies, proving to be a useful complement marker to discriminate general patterns of circulation at national and international levels. The aim of this work is to test local-level usefulness of the combination of SH and MF-NCR sequencing in tracing hidden transmission clusters and chains during the last epidemic wave (2015–2020) in Spain. A database with 903 cases from the Autonomous Community of Madrid was generated by the integration of microbiological and epidemiological data. Of these, 453 representative cases were genotyped. Eight different SH variants and thirty-four SH haplotypes were detected. Local MuV circulation showed the same temporal pattern previously described at a national level. Only two of the thirteen previously identified outbreaks were caused by more than one variant/haplotype. Geographical representation of SH variants allowed the identification of several previously undetected clusters, which were analysed phylogenetically by the combination of SH and MF-NCR, in a total of 90 cases. MF-NCR was not able to improve the discrimination of geographical clusters based on SH sequencing, showing limited resolution for outbreak investigations.