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    Item type:Publication,
    AQSA—Algorithm for Automatic Quantification of Spheres Derived from Cancer Cells in Microfluidic Devices
    (MDPI AG, 2024-11-20) ;
    Ramiro Fernando Isa-Jara
    ;
    Elsa Hincapié-Arias
    ;
    Silvia Gómez
    ;
    Denise Belgorosky
    Sphere formation assay is an accepted cancer stem cell (CSC) enrichment method. CSCs play a crucial role in chemoresistance and cancer recurrence. Therefore, CSC growth is studied in plates and microdevices to develop prediction chemotherapy assays in cancer. As counting spheres cultured in devices is laborious, time-consuming, and operator-dependent, a computational program called the Automatic Quantification of Spheres Algorithm (ASQA) that detects, identifies, counts, and measures spheres automatically was developed. The algorithm and manual counts were compared, and there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.167). The performance of the AQSA is better when the input image has a uniform background, whereas, with a nonuniform background, artifacts can be interpreted as spheres according to image characteristics. The areas of spheres derived from LN229 cells and CSCs from primary cultures were measured. For images with one sphere, area measurements obtained with the AQSA and SpheroidJ were compared, and there was no statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.173). Notably, the AQSA detects more than one sphere, compared to other approaches available in the literature, and computes the sphere area automatically, which enables the observation of treatment response in the sphere derived from the human glioblastoma LN229 cell line. In addition, the algorithm identifies spheres with numbers to identify each one over time. The AQSA analyzes many images in 0.3 s per image with a low computational cost, enabling laboratories from developing countries to perform sphere counts and area measurements without needing a powerful computer. Consequently, it can be a useful tool for automated CSC quantification from cancer cell lines, and it can be adjusted to quantify CSCs from primary culture cells. CSC-derived sphere detection is highly relevant as it avoids expensive treatments and unnecessary toxicity.
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    Item type:Publication,
    Validation of a Portable Fluorescence Spectroscopy System to Monitor Heat Damage in Industrially Processed Milk
    (MDPI AG, 2024-03-02)
    Ulises Alvarado
    ;
    Anna Zamora
    ;
    Oscar Arango
    ;
    Jordi Saldo
    ;
    Manuel Castillo
    Heat treatments play a critical role in ensuring the safety and preservation of milk, but it can affect its nutritional and sensory properties. The present paper proposes the use of a portable system based on fluorescence spectroscopy as an alternative method for the quantification of four thermal damage markers at once (hydroxymethylfurfural, sulfhydryl groups, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin). The obtained prediction models using autofluorescent compounds (tryptophan, dityrosine, Maillard compounds, and riboflavin), validated with skimmed milk processed under several industrial conditions, granted the development of a portable and/or online system, allowing for the real-time monitoring of thermal damage and control of the heat treatment process. The results of this study will certainly contribute to the development of new process analytical technologies for the dairy industry, enabling quality control and adjustment of the manufacturing process to ensure safe and high-quality products.