Fig. 1

Algorithm scheme of automated macrophage/foam cell detection using a subset of 10 cells with condition phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control. Block a: Raw microscope images at 10× magnification: (top to bottom) Bright-field, Blue (DAPI-stained nucleus) channel, Red (Nile Red-stained lipids) channel, Blue + Red channel. Block b: sample of 10 cells are used to illustrate a (more) detailed outline of the image processing program. Block c includes the series of steps each blue channel image undergoes for (per cell) nucleus segmentation and identification. Block d includes the series of steps each ‘composite’ image undergoes, each red/blue region (cell) is identified based on the outlines of the red/blue regions. Block e shows the outlined nuclei that were identified within that image. Block f shows the outlines of the regions of interest (potential cells) which were identified within that image. Only such regions that contained one corresponding nucleus were accepted as cells. Block h average red intensities