Item 8: Were measurements obtained immediately after tissue was excised? If no, how much time elapsed between excision and test?
Pre-specified protocol	For conductivity values that reflect the most natural circumstances, measurements should be made immediately after tissue has been excised, or immediately after death. Time-elapsed from excision and measurements may affect the relative conductivity of the tissue.
Yes-1 No: < 24 h-0.8 1–7 days-0.6 1–8 weeks-0.4 > 2 months-0.2	No time elapsed from excision and test. Time elapsed between excision and test within the range described and an item score was assigned accordingly.
Unclear-0.5	It was unclear how much time elapsed, therefore an average of 0.5 for this item is assigned.
Item 9: Were excised tissue samples kept in 100% saline? If no, what liquid (and concentration) were tissue samples kept in?
Pre-specified protocol	To ensure conditions are kept as natural as possible, excised tissue should be contained within 100% saline, where conductivity is 1 S/m.
Yes-1	Excised tissue samples were contained in 100% saline of 1 S/m conductivity.
No: >90% saline-0.8 50–90% saline-0.6 < 50% saline-0.4 Dry-0.2	Tissue samples were kept in varying concentrations of saline and quality scores were assigned accordingly.
Unclear-0.5	It is unclear what concentration of saline tissues were kept in, hence they were assigned an average score of 0.5
Item 10: Was the tissue kept at body temperature (~ 37 °C)?
Pre-specified protocol	For conductivity values that reflect the most natural circumstances, excised tissue should be maintained at body temperature.
Yes-1	Tissue kept at approximately body temperature (34–39 °C)
No-0	Tissue not at body temperature.
Unclear-0.5	The temperature of the tissue during conductivity measurements was unclear or ambiguous, therefore an average of 0.5 for this item was assigned.