Histological scoring of different groups at week 2, week 4 and week 8.

median (range).Better total score was observed in the GFP-TDSC-Scx group compared to that in the GFP-Mock group which in turns was better than that in the Scaffold-only group. The total score was significantly better in the GFP-TDSC-Scx group compared to that in the Scaffold-only group at week 2. The better total score in the GFP-TDSC-Scx group was mainly contributed by the improvement in fiber arrangement, vascularity, fiber structure and degree of inflammation.Footnote:1Fiber arrangement: Only fibers with typical collagen birefringence of tendon are regarded as good; reported as the areal percentage of poor fibers.0:0%; 1:≤10%; 2:≤30%; 3:>30%.2Cellularity: calculated as the percentage increase in cellularity compared to normal tendon.0:normal (0%); 1:≤50%; 2:≤150%; 3:>150%.3Cell alignment: calculated as the areal percentage of cells not aligned along the direction of tensile load in tendon.0:≤10%; 1:≤20%; 2:≤50%; 3:>50%.4Cell rounding: calculated as the areal percentage of non-spindle-shaped cells.0:0%; 1:≤10%; 2:≤30%; 3:>30%.5Vascularity: calculated as the number of vascular features.0:0; 1:≤5; 2:≤10; 3:>10.6Fiber structure: calculated as the areal percentage with fibers that were separated and wavy.0:straight and tightly-packed (0%); 1:slight waviness and fiber separation (≤10%); 2:moderate waviness and fiber separation (≤30%); 3:severe waviness and fiber separation (>30%).7Hyaline degeneration: calculated as the areal percentage with chondrocyte-like cells or ossification or degeneration.0:0%; 1:≤10%; 2:≤30%; 3:>30%.8Inflammation: calculated as the areal percentage with inflammatory cells characterized as very small cells with small round nuclei and scanty cytoplasm.0:0%; 1:≤2%; 2:≤10%; 3:>10%.9Ossification: calculated as the areal percentage with ectopic ossification.0:0%; 1:≤15%; 2:≤30%; 3:>30%.10Total score: calculated by summing up the scores of item (a) to (i).apost-hoc p≤0.050 versus Scaffold-only group.bpost-hoc p≤0.050 versus GFP-TDSC-Mock group.xpost-hoc p≤0.050 versus week 2.ypost-hoc p≤0.050 versus week 4.Italics un-bold symbol means marginally insignificant.