Abstract This article discusses how the contribution of women to the history of science is portrayed in high school textbooks in Portugal. An exhaustive analysis of history textbooks revealed that the role of women in science is neglected, except for Marie Curie, who is referred several times. Portrayals of science continue to ignore the contributions of women´s work and their persistence. The role of women as (co)-authors of scientific discoveries have been erased or neglected, and the “Matilda effect” persists. Women appear in images as assistants, bodies, or consumers of the benefits of science.

Resumo Este artigo discute a representação da contribuição das mulheres na história da ciência nos livros didáticos do ensino secundário português. A análise exaustiva dos livros didáticos de história revelou que o papel das mulheres na ciência é negligenciado, à exceção de Marie Curie, que é citada várias vezes. Continua-se a retratar a ciência silenciando contributos do trabalho e persistência de mulheres cujo papel como (co)-autoras de descobertas científicas foi apagado ou ignorado, persistindo o “efeito Matilda”. As mulheres aparecem nas imagens como auxiliares, corpos ou consumidoras dos benefícios da ciência.

Abstract Background: Right ventricular dysfunction is a major complication in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, despite its prognostic implications, is rarely considered in routine clinical analysis. Objectives: To compare RV function variables with standard and advanced echocardiographic techniques in patients with stable COPD and controls. Methods: Twenty COPD patients classified as GOLD ≥ II (13 men aged 68.4 ± 8.3 years) and 20 matched controls were compared. Myocardial strain/strain rate indices were obtained by tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Right ventricular ejection fraction was obtained with three-dimensional software. Free wall myocardial thickness (FWMT) and tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE) were also measured. Numerical variables were compared between groups with Student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Associations between categorical variables were determined with Fisher’s exact test. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: All myocardial deformation indices, particularly global longitudinal strain (-17.2 ± 4.4 vs -21.2: ± 4.4 = 0.001) and 3D right ventricular ejection fraction (40.8 ± 9.3% vs 51.1 ± 6.4% p <0.001) were reduced in COPD patients. These patients presented higher right ventricular FWMT and lower TAPSE values than controls. Conclusion: Myocardial deformation indices, either tissue Doppler or speckle tracking echocardiography and 3D right ventricular ejection fraction, are robust markers of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with stable COPD. Assessing global longitudinal strain by speckle tracking echocardiography is a more practical and reproducible method.