A wide range of evidence was drawn together and graded, using systems such as Bandolier (a health evidence-grading system).
Finally, to produce data for spotting patterns, the evidence for each claim was graded using two standard systems for categorising the strength of evidence.
Cartilage abnormalities were graded using the Noyes classification system [11].
Histological inflammatory reactions were graded using a scoring system.
Studies were graded using two independent hierarchies of evidence.
Complication severity was graded using the Clavien scoring system.
The functional outcome was graded using the Harris hip score (HHS).
The RT-PCR gel image (Supplementary File 7) intensities were graded using standard techniques.
The mucosal damage of the bowel was graded using the Park score (Table 1 [26]).
Adverse events were graded using the National Cancer Institute toxicity criteria (V3.0).
The complexity of cases was graded using Paley's level of difficulty score.
