05: Metabolic Heat Profiles in Chondrocytes: A Comparison of Functional and Integrated Data Approaches

Music City Center 

Osteoarthritis affects the tissues and cells across the whole joint and results in cartilage degradation. Human chondrocytes are the only cell type in articular cartilage and are responsible for cartilage repair and homeostasis through metabolism. An increase in temperature surrounding these cells results in faster metabolic processes which will in turn generate heat as a byproduct. This study analyzes heat measurements of three-dimensionally encapsulated chondrocytes suspended in agarose hydrogels for four carbon sources. The heat is measured every second for 48 hours for each gel. Heat measurement profiles can be analyzed using the total heat over time by integrating instantaneous heat measurements. Or the heat curves themselves can be analyzed using a functional response linear model, which allows more detailed assessments of when the groups might differ and possibly more power to detect differences. We compare the functional data approach to using a conventional linear model for the aggregated heat responses. Pairwise follow-up tests to assess differences between groups and/or in particular regions of time are considered.

biostatistics

functional data

functional ANOVA

follow-up tests 

Section on Statistical Consulting