Over 2,000 Prospective Researchers Attend RSU International Student Conference
On 24 and 25 March, Rīga Stradiņš University’s (RSU) 8th International Student Conference brought together more than 2,000 young science enthusiasts. The conference took place in a hybrid format this year: participants presented their research to local and international jury members on Zoom, while various workshops and masterclasses took place in person.
A total of 285 papers were presented at the conference. This included 184 papers across the healthcare sections, 60 clinical cases in four clinical case sections (internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics), and 41 papers in the social sciences sections. Participants from 17 countries presented their research. These countries included Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, the USA, Uzbekistan, Estonia, and even 14 students from Ukraine.
Over the two days, participants had the opportunity to take part not only in sessions with their own research, but also participate in panel discussions on healthcare digitalisation and personalised medicine, while social sciences students took part in activities on visual fact-checking, a masterclass on solving case studies organised by the Faculty of Law, and a joint discussion between the RSU Business Incubator and the Department of International Business and Economics on "The Relevance of Consumer Behaviour Research and How to Use Its Results to Achieve Business Goals” with Margarita Aļabjeva-Vaišļa from Paulig.
Participants of the conference had the opportunity to visit the RSU Anatomy Museum, take part in a skull drawing workshop, learn about the importance of sleep at the RigaBrain lecture, as well as improve their practical skills in workshops organised by various academic societies on the Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) premises. Participants learned practical skills in abdominal ultrasonography, applying plaster casts, cardiac surgery, neonatal resuscitation, etc. This year, several simulation kits for remote skills training in wound surgery, lumbar puncture, and tracheostomy were prepared in collaboration with METC. These enabled participants from abroad to participate in the workshops remotely.
The Grand Prix and Clinical Case Finals were organised this year, where the highest ranked papers from the first day competed for special prizes and the acknowledgement of Best Research Paper.
Winners
Grand Prix
- "Investigating Enhanced Permeability-Retention Effect in Cancer with Stealth Nanoparticles", Rinalds Seržants
- "The Incidence of Radiologically Confirmed Lung Damage in Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Covid-19 Patients", Līva Marta Spīgule
- "Molecular Analysis of the Microbiome of Tonsils and Pus in the Peritonsillar Abscess Patients", Merili Saar
Klīnisko gadījumu ziņojumu fināla uzvarētāji
- "Atypical Presentation of Pediatric Lyme Neuroborreliosis: A Case Report", Simone Oliver Senica
- "Surgical–Orthodontic Treatment of Unerupted Maxillary Central Incisor: A Case Report", Gustė Klimaitė
- "Genital Area Reconstruction in a Two-Year-Old Boy with a 3rd-Degree Chemical Burn", Darja Golubeva
- Healthcare - Best Presentations
Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine
- "Comparison of Tie Techniques for Securing Endotracheal Tubes", Matīss Briuks
- "Effect of Calculated Colloid Osmotic Pressure on the Frequency of Noradrenaline Use After Cardiac Surgery in Cardiopulmonary Bypass", Edīte Voliņeca
- "Frequency of Hypoalbuminemia in Perioperative Period for Patients Having Elective Open-Heart Surgery in Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Factors Influencing It", Toms Zauerhagens
Surgery
- "The Relationship Between Specific Chocardiographic Changes in Patients with Infective Endocarditis Caused by Specific Bacterial Microorganisms", Franziska Burkhardt
- "One Year Follow-up Results of the Functionality of Arteriovenous Fistulas Created for Haemodialysis and the Risk Factors for Failure", Dārta Paula Šveisberga
- "Challenges in the Treatment of Complicated Gallstone Disease During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Group Comparison Research", Anna Svikša
Internal Medicine - Best Oral Presentations
- "Peculiarities in Electrocardiographic Findings in Basketball, Football and Ice Hockey Junior Athletes", Loreta Briuka
- "PCSK9 Inhibitors in Patients with Very High Cardiovascular Risk", Māris Lapšovs
- "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy as an Impact on Arrhythmia Development", Larisa Ramoniene
Internal Medicine - Best Poster Presentations
- "Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Young Adults", Elīna Rūsa
- "Covid-19 Pandemic Influence of High-Risk Atrial Fibrillation Patients in Latvia", Oto Aleksis Zelčs
- "Analysis of the Relationship Between Atrial Fibrillation, Dyslipidemia and Statin Therapy", Alīna Anufrijeva
Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics - Best Oral Presentations
- "Prevalence of Large and Small Fiber Neuropathies AAmong Systemic Sclerosis Patients, and Their Impact on Patients’ Disability and Functional Status", Daniils Žukovs
- "Headache Associated with Head and Face Protective Personal Equipment Among Healthcare Workers in Latvia", Laura Gribuste
- "Public Knowledge and Attitude Towards Epilepsy in General Population of Latvia", Agnis Saulītis
Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics - Best Poster Presentations
- "Covid-19 Lockdown as an Associated Factor to Symptoms of Anxiety in Rīga Stradiņš University Students", Laura Rudzika
- "Correlation Between Mother's Weight–Teasing and Daughter's Binge Eating and BMI", Elvita Penka
- "Sesonality and Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Prevalence of Pediatric Headache in Emergency Department", Lauma Iesalniece
Oncology and Haematology - Best Oral Presentations
- "Breast Cancer Rate in Different Age Groups: a Single Tertiary Centre Perspective in 2020", Lelde Tiltiņa
- "The Association of Primary Tumor Site Laterality and Race on Breast Cancer Patients’ Survival in the United States During 1998–2016, Brenda Abreu Molnar
- "Dysregulation of Extracellular Matrix Genes Expression as Prognostic Marker of Prostate Cancer Course", Tetiana Borikun
Gynaecology, Gynaecological Surgery, Obstetrics and Perinatology - Best Oral Presentations
- "Experience and Patient Profile of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Women in an Ob/Gyn Setting in Latvia", Arta Bērziņa
- "Effects of Intraoperative Ropivacaine Infiltration to Reduce Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Requirement by Assessing Physiological Reactions", Laura Ivanova
- "Obstetric Complications in Obese Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus", Atėnė Simanauskaitė
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Physiology - Best Oral Presentations
- "Investigating Enhanced Permeability-Retention Effect in Cancer with Stealth Nanoparticles", Rinalds Seržants
- "The Potential Use of Herbal Fingerprints by Means of HPLC and TLC for Characterization and Identification of Herbal Extracts", Ance Bārzdiņa
- "The Impact of Wearing a Face Mask During Exercise on Oxygen Consumption in Adults", Sofija Aveniņa
Ophthalmology - Best Oral Presentations
- "Variability of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements – Heidelberg Anterion, Heidelberg Spectralis and Optovue Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography", Sintija Kukaine
- "Eyelash Length Changes in Patients Who Use Prostaglandin Analogs", Diāna Lavrinoviča
- "Age-Related Macular Degeneration Association with SIRT1 rs3740051 Gene Polymorphism", Karolina Grikšaitė
Public and Global Health, Occupational Medicine, Nutrition and Rehabilitation - Best Oral Presentations
- "Knowledge of Non-Dental Health Specialists Regarding Traumatic Dental Injury Management in Latvia", Laura Lāčauniece
- "Motivations and Attitude of General Practitioners in Latvia Towards Primary Care Research", Rebeka Baiba Jukāma
- "The Parents' Role in Children’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Education", Ausma Elza Trumpika
Public and Global Health, Occupational Medicine, Nutrition and Rehabilitation - Best Poster Presentations
- "The Association Between Social Determinants of Health and Self-Reported Diabetic Retinopathy: An Exploratory Analysis", Tyler Williams
- "Peripheral Venous Catheter Insertion Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Performance After Online Instructor-Led Teaching versus Face-to-Face Instructor-Led Teaching", Larisa Ramoniene
- "Orthodontic Patients Treated with Braces and Aligners: Comparison of Changes in Their Dietary, Oral Higiene and Sports Habits", Modesta Ralyte
Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Dermatology, Immunology and Allergology - Best Oral Presentations
- "Molecular Analysis of the Microbiome of Tonsils and Pus in the Peritonsillar Abscess Patients", Merili Saar
- "Presence of Cryptosporidium Spp. and Giardia Spp. in Human Population in Latvia", Vladimirs Morozovs
- "E. Coli Biofilm Formation and Its Association with Antibiotic Resistance", Laura Agnese Pauliņa
Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Dermatology, Immunology and Allergology - Best Poster Presentations
- "Investigation of the Effect of Gallic Acid on Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Formation and Acidogenicity", Modesta Ralyte
- "Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors in Patients of Psychiatry and Narcology Centers of Latvia", Egīls Zaķis
- "NGS-Based Methodology for an Analysis of the Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment-Associated Pharmacogenes: Gene Selection and Amplification Step", Linda Laizāne
Psychology
- "Relationship Between Brain Atrophy, Motor Reserve and Global Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults", Milena Keistere
- "Development of Latvian Sleep Questionnaire: First Stage", Renārs Alksnītis
- "Development and Psychometric Testing of Five Scales for Covid-19 Related Measures Within Health Belief Model", Valentīna Krūmiņa
Basic and Preclinical Sciences (Morphology, Pathology, Genetics) - Best Oral Presentations
- "Tracheal Hyaline Cartilage Variations in Healthy Humans", Arina Deņisova
- "Evaluation of Morphological Changes in the Tunica Adventitia of the Ascending Aorta in Altered Aortic Valve Patient", Pēteris Grīnbergs
- "Expression of Myoepithelial Immunohistochemical Markers in Different Breast Cancer Subtypes", Līva Andersone
Traumatology, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Radiology, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery - Best Oral Presentations
- "The Incidence of Radiologically Confirmed Lung Damage in Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Covid-19 Patients", Līva Marta Spīgule
- "Evalution of Radiological Findings of Covid-19 Lung Lesions in Latvia in the View of Artificial Intelligence and Radiologist", Laura Keiša
- "Perivascular Spaces on Brain MRI in Patients with Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia", Arkādijs Nikolajevs
Paediatrics - Best Oral Presentations
- "Correlation Between Clinical Symptoms of Hypertension with Disorders of Microcirculation in Children", Anna Teslenko
- "Post-Acute Covid-19 Symptoms in Children", Rebeka Baiba Jukāma
&
"A Comparative Analysis of Pediatric Patients Presenting with Abdominal Pain to the Pediatric Emergency Department", Eglė Gelšvartaitė - "Etiology and Clinical Characteristics of Cystic Kidney Diseases in Paediatric Patients From Children’s Clinical University Hospital: 5 Year’s Data Analysis", Diana Druse
Clinical Cases - Best reports in Internal Medicine (Section 1)
- "The Various Faces of Histiocytosis – Therapeutic Challenge of Mysterious Disease", Anna Rekowska
- "Strong Muscles, Weak Heart: Cardiomyopathy Induced by Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Use", Ieva Daniliauskaitė
- "Gluteal Abscess Due to Klebsiella Pneumoniae in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Spondylodiscitis", Klinta Bičevska
Clinical Cases - Best reports in Internal Medicine (Section 2)
- "IGF II-Induced Hypoglycemia in Patient with Small Round Cell Sarcoma", Beāte Elizabete Daukšte
- "Was It the Right Decision? – A Case Report of the Woman Disqualified from Covid-19 Vaccine", Aleksandra Jędrasek
- "Results Of a 5-Year Follow-up of the Patient with Radical Treatment and Early Diagnosed Gastric Cancer with Minimally Invasive Methods", Vita Trone
Clinical Cases - Paediatrics
- "Metastatic Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma: A Case Report on Repeated Bilateral Thoracotomies in an Adolescent Patient", Lilija Banceviča
- "Atypical Presentation of Pediatric Lyme Neuroborreliosis: A Case Report", Simone Oliver Senica
- "Pre-Symptomatic Treatment for a 17-Day Old Infant with Spinal Muscular Atrophy", Tīna Čupāne
&
"Refractory Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura with Complications. A Case Report", Santa Grīnvalde
Clinical Cases - Surgery
- "Surgical–Orthodontic Treatment of Unerupted Maxillary Central Incisor: A Case Report", Gustė Klimaitė
- "Knee Joint Endoprosthetic Reconstruction for Adolescent Patient with Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma of Distal Femur", Lilija Banceviča
- "Genital Area Reconstruction in a Two-Year-Old Boy With a 3rd-Degree Chemical Burn", Darja Golubeva
- Social Sciences - Best Presentations
Communications - Best Oral Presentations
- "Hybridity of Photography and Poetry in an Autoethnograpic Photo Story", Alise Tīdena
- "Podcast “Ultraspēks” (“Ultrapower”). Ultramarathonist Experience Stories", Ieva Cepliša
- "Use of Behavioral Economics Principles in Anti-Drunk-Driving Road Traffic Safety Directorate Social Campaigns", Anna Zālīte
Communications - Best Poster Presentations
- "Analysis of the Content and Language of the Broadcasts of the “Brīvvalsts TV” Portal in the Perspective of Framing Theory", Megija Neimane
- "Digital Transformation of the Magazine Publishing House “Žurnāls Santa” and Its Impact on Journalism", Margarita Sēkliņa
- "Broadcast “Read Louder” about Book Reading Among Young People", Sandra Aleksandra Lode
Economics, Politics and Law - Participation Prizes
- "The Assessment of the Integration of Climate Change Content in the Marketing Communications of Manufacturing Companies in Latvia", Katrīna Pelecka
- "Child Support: Issues of Public and Private Legislation Republic of Latvia", Artūrs Kurbatovs
- "Migration as Security Discourse: Plurality of Realities and Their Discursive Reflection", Anastasiia Yuzyk
- "Foreign Direct Investment in Latvia: Benefits and Obstacles Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic (2015–2020)", Amanda Krūze
- "Effects of Climate Change on European Commission Competences", Aleksandra Palkova
The organisers of the RSU International Student Conference would like to thank all participants, partners, and supporters!