Based on the array results, five types of miRNA were selected for further real-time PCR analysis. Real-time PCR was performed on RNA from the newly generated callus collected on post-fracture days five, seven, 11, 14, 21, and 28 (n = 6 in each group at each timepoint). Tissue specimens were homogenized and total RNA was extracted. RNA was reverse-transcribed into single-strand complementary DNA using the miRCURY locked nucleic acid (LNA) Universal RT microRNA PCR kit (Exiqon A/S, Vedbaek, Denmark). Real-time PCR analysis was performed in duplicate with a StepOne Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems Inc., Foster City, California), using SYBR Green master mix and microRNA LNA PCR primer sets (both from Exiqon A/S, Vedbaek, Denmark). U6, a small nuclear RNA, was used as an internal control to normalize differences in miRNA levels in each sample.9 (link),12 (link) The relative abundance of each miRNA was calculated using the comparative ΔΔCT method9 (link),12 (link) and is presented as the fold change relative to levels in the post-fracture day five control sample.