Pathogens associated with pleuritic pig lungs at an abattoir in Queensland Australia.

OBJECTIVE: Pleurisy in pigs has economic impacts in the production stage and at slaughter. This study sought to establish if some micro-organisms can be found in high numbers in lungs with pleurisy by assessing batches of pigs at an abattoir in Queensland Australia. DESIGN: Samples of lung (including trachea/bronchus and lymph nodes) from a maximum of 5 pleurisy affected pigs were collected from 46 batches of pigs representing 46 Queensland farms. PROCEDURE: Pleurisy-affected lung areas were cultured by traditional bacteriological methods and bacteria quantified by plate scores. Additionally, tracheal or bronchial swabs and apical lobe fluid were tested for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae DNA and the superior tracheobronchial lymph nodes were tested for porcine circovirus type 2 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All apparently significant bacteria were identified via PCR or sequencing. Typing was undertaken on some of the bacterial isolates. RESULTS: The most prevalent pathogens were M. hyopneumoniae, Streptococcus suis and Porcine Circovirus type 2, being found in 34, 38 and 31 batches, respectively. Other bacteria found were Actinobacillus species (29 batches), Pasteurella multocida (24 batches), Mycoplasma flocculare (9 batches), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (7 batches), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (4 batches), Bisgaard Taxon 10 (1 batch), Glaesserella parasuis (1 batch), Streptococcus minor (1 batch) and Streptococcus porcinus (1 batch). Most batches had more than one bacterial species. CONCLUSION: The high percentage of batches infected with S. suis (83%), M. hyopneumoniae (74%) and PCV2 (70%) and clustering by a batch of these pathogens, as well as the presence of many secondary pathogens, suggests synergy between these organisms may have resulted in pleurisy.

Describing the resource utilisation and costs associated withvertebral fractures: the Build Better Bones with Exercise (B3E) Pilot Trial.

This analysis examined costs/resources of 141 women with vertebral fractures, randomised to a home exercise programme or control group. Total, mean costs and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated. Quality of life was collected. Cost drivers were caregiver time, medications and adverse events (AEs). Results show adding an exercise programme may reduce the risk of AEs. INTRODUCTION: This exploratory economic analysis examined the health resource utilisation and costs experienced by women with vertebral fractures, and explored the effects of home exercise on those costs. METHODS: Women ≥ 65 years with one or more X-ray-confirmed vertebral fractures were randomised 1:1 to a 12-month home exercise programme or equal attention control group. Clinical and health system resources were collected during monthly phone calls and daily diaries completed by participants. Intervention costs were included. Unit costs were applied to health system resources. Quality of life (QoL) information was collected via EQ-5D-5L at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one women were randomised. Overall total costs (CAD 2018) were $664,923 (intervention) and $614,033 (control), respectively. The top three cost drivers were caregiver time ($250,269 and $240,811), medications ($151,000 and $122,145) and AEs ($58,807 and $71,981). The mean cost per intervention participant of $9365 ± $9988 was higher compared with the mean cost per control participant of $8772 ± $9718. The mean EQ-5D index score was higher for the intervention participants (0.81 ± 0.11) compared with that of controls (0.79 ± 0.13). The differences in quality-adjusted life year (QALY) (0.02) and mean cost ($593) were used to calculate the ICER of $29,650. CONCLUSIONS: Women with osteoporosis with a previous fracture experience a number of resources and associated costs that impact their care and quality of life. Caregiver time, medications and AEs are the biggest cost drivers for this population. The next steps would be to expand this feasibility study with more participants, longer-term follow-up and more regional variability.

An easy-to-perform, culture-free Campylobacter point-of-management assay for processing plant applications.

AIMS: Current culture-based methods for detection and determination of Campylobacter levels on processed chickens takes at least 2 days. Here we sought to develop a new complete, low-cost and rapid (approximately 2·5 h) detection system requiring minimal operator input. METHODS AND RESULTS: We observed a strong correlation between culture-based cell counts and our ability to detect either Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli by loop-mediated isothermal amplification from the same samples. This knowledge was used to develop a rapid and simple five-step assay to quantify Campylobacter, which was subsequently assessed for its specificity, reproducibility and accuracy in quantifying Campylobacter levels from processed chickens. The assay was found to be highly specific for C. jejuni and C. coli and was capable of distinguishing between samples that are either within or exceeding the industry set target of 6000 Campylobacter colony forming units (CFU) per carcass (equivalent to 12 CFU per ml of chicken rinse) with >90% accuracy relative to culture-based methods. CONCLUSIONS: Our method can reliably quantify Campylobacter counts of processed chickens with an accuracy comparable to culture-based assays but provides results within hours as opposed to days. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The research presented here will help improve food safety by providing fast Campylobacter detection that will enable the implementation of real-time risk management strategies in poultry processing plants to rapidly test processed chickens and identify effective intervention strategies. This technology is a powerful tool that can be easily adapted for other organisms and thus could be highly beneficial for a broad range of industries.

Build better bones with exercise (B3E pilot trial): results of a feasibility study of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of 12 months of home exercise in older women with vertebral fracture.

We pilot-tested a trial of home exercise on individuals with osteoporosis and spine fracture. Our target enrollment was met, though it took longer than expected. Participants stayed in the study and completed the exercise program with no safety concerns. Future trials should expand the inclusion criteria and consider other changes. PURPOSE: Osteoporotic fragility fractures create a substantial human and economic burden. There have been calls for a large randomized controlled trial examining the effect of exercise on fracture incidence. The B3E pilot trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility of a large trial examining the effects of home exercise on individuals at high risk of fracture. METHODS: Community-dwelling women ≥ 65 years with radiographically confirmed vertebral compression fractures were recruited at seven sites in Canada and Australia. We randomized participants in a 1:1 ratio to a 12-month home exercise program or equal attention control group, both delivered by a physiotherapist (PT). Participants received six PT home visits in addition to monthly phone calls from the PT and a blinded research assistant. The primary feasibility outcomes of the study were recruitment rate (20 per site in 1 year), retention rate (75% completion), and intervention adherence rate (60% of weeks meeting exercise goals). Secondary outcomes included falls, fractures and adverse events. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one participants were recruited; an average of 20 per site, though most sites took longer than anticipated. Retention and adherence met the criteria for success: 92% of participants completed the study; average adherence was 66%. The intervention group did not differ significantly in the number of falls (IRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.63) or fragility fractures (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.60 to 2.05) compared to the control group. There were 18 serious adverse events in the intervention group and 12 in the control group. CONCLUSION: An RCT of home exercise in women with vertebral fractures is feasible but recruitment was a challenge. Suggestions are made for the conduct of future trials.

Forensic ancestry analysis with two capillary electrophoresis ancestry informative marker (AIM) panels: Results of a collaborative EDNAP exercise.

There is increasing interest in forensic ancestry tests, which are part of a growing number of DNA analyses that can enhance routine profiling by obtaining additional genetic information about unidentified DNA donors. Nearly all ancestry tests use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but these currently rely on SNaPshot single base extension chemistry that can fail to detect mixed DNA. Insertion-deletion polymorphism (Indel) tests have been developed using dye-labeled primers that allow direct capillary electrophoresis detection of PCR products (PCR-to-CE). PCR-to-CE maintains the direct relationship between input DNA and signal strength as each marker is detected with a single dye, so mixed DNA is more reliably detected. We report the results of a collaborative inter-laboratory exercise of 19 participants (15 from the EDNAP European DNA Profiling group) that assessed a 34-plex SNP test using SNaPshot and a 46-plex Indel test using PCR-to-CE. Laboratories were asked to type five samples with different ancestries and detect an additional mixed DNA sample. Statistical inference of ancestry was made by participants using the Snipper online Bayes analysis portal plus an optional PCA module that analyzes the genotype data alongside calculation of Bayes likelihood ratios. Exercise results indicated consistent genotyping performance from both tests, reaching a particularly high level of reliability for the Indel test. SNP genotyping gave 93.5% concordance (compared to the organizing laboratory's data) that rose to 97.3% excluding one laboratory with a large number of miscalled genotypes. Indel genotyping gave a higher concordance rate of 99.8% and a reduced no-call rate compared to SNP analysis. All participants detected the mixture from their Indel peak height data and successfully assigned the correct ancestry to the other samples using Snipper, with the exception of one laboratory with SNP miscalls that incorrectly assigned ancestry of two samples and did not obtain informative likelihood ratios for a third. Therefore, successful ancestry assignments were achieved by participants in 92 of 95 Snipper analyses. This exercise demonstrates that ancestry inference tests based on binary marker sets can be readily adopted by laboratories that already have well-established CE regimes in place. The Indel test proved to be easy to use and allowed all exercise participants to detect the DNA mixture as well as achieving complete and concordant profiles in nearly all cases. Lastly, two participants successfully ran parallel next-generation sequencing analyses (each using different systems) and achieved high levels of genotyping concordance using the exercise PCR primer mixes unmodified.

Synthesis, characterization, and water oxidation by a molecular chromophore-catalyst assembly prepared by atomic layer deposition. The "mummy" strategy.

A new strategy for preparing spatially-controlled, multi-component films consisting of molecular light absorbing chromophores and water oxidation catalysts on high surface area, mesoporous metal oxide surfaces is described. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to embed a surface-bound chromophore in a thin layer of inert Al2O3, followed by catalyst binding to the new oxide surface. In a final step, catalyst surface-binding is stabilized by a subsequent ALD overlayer of Al2O3. The ALD assembly procedure bypasses synthetic difficulties arising from the preparation of phosphonic acid derivatized, covalently-linked assemblies. An ALD mummy-based assembly has been used to demonstrate photoelectrochemical dehydrogenation of hydroquinone. Electrocatalytic water oxidation at pH 8.8 is observed over a 2 hour electrolysis period and light-assisted water oxidation over a 6 hour photolysis period with O2 detected with a generator-collector electrode configuration.

Spatial resolution of the electrical conductance of ionic fluids using a Green-Kubo method.

We present a Green-Kubo method to spatially resolve transport coefficients in compositionally heterogeneous mixtures. We develop the underlying theory based on well-known results from mixture theory, Irving-Kirkwood field estimation, and linear response theory. Then, using standard molecular dynamics techniques, we apply the methodology to representative systems. With a homogeneous salt water system, where the expectation of the distribution of conductivity is clear, we demonstrate the sensitivities of the method to system size, and other physical and algorithmic parameters. Then we present a simple model of an electrochemical double layer where we explore the resolution limit of the method. In this system, we observe significant anisotropy in the wall-normal vs. transverse ionic conductances, as well as near wall effects. Finally, we discuss extensions and applications to more realistic systems such as batteries where detailed understanding of the transport properties in the vicinity of the electrodes is of technological importance.

Aphelenchoides hylurgi as a carrier of white, hypovirulent Cryphonectria parasitica and its possible role in Hypovirulence spread on blight-controlled american chestnut trees.

Individual nematodes were isolated from American chestnut blight-controlled cankers to determine if they were carriers of biocontrol (hypovirulent) isolates of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica. These hypovirulent isolates have a white fungal colony phenotype due to infection by the virus CHV1. Of 1,620 individual Aphelenchoides hylurgi isolated, 29.4% carried propagules of the blight fungus and 8.2% of these yielded white hypovirulent isolates. In attraction and movement tests in Petri plates, A. hylurgi moved 2 cm over 24 hr to mycelial discs of white hypovirulent C. parasitica and pigmented C. parasitica strains in nearly equal numbers. After 2 days of nematode movement to fungal colonies on agar in Petri plates and 21 days of nematode growth, large numbers of A. hylurgi were extracted from both white hypovirulent and pigmented C. parasitica strain colonies. Lower numbers of A. hylurgi were extracted from excised young American chestnut blight cankers that were inoculated with A. hylurgi and incubated for 22 days. A. hylurgi inoculated on the surface of an excised American chestnut canker moved within 24 hr to the small, spore-bearing C. parasitica reproductive structures (stromata) on the canker surface. The results indicate that A. hylurgi may play a role in the spread of hypovirulence on American chestnut trees.

A behavioral analysis of prey detection lateralization and unilateral transfer in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

It has been suggested that birds prefer to use a particular eye while learning to detect cryptic prey and that this eye preference enhances foraging performance. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with the left, right, or both eyes available learned to detect inconspicuous cues associated with the presence of hidden prey. Acquisition scores were not significantly different between left and right-eyed birds; however, performance in the binocular condition was significantly higher than in the two monocular conditions. When binocular birds were tested with familiar and unfamiliar cues present simultaneously, the familiar cue was selected significantly more often than the unfamiliar cue, suggesting that the birds were searching for specific cue features. When monocular birds were tested using only the naïve eye, performance dropped significantly. In right-eyed birds using the naïve left eye, performance remained at chance levels over transfer trials. However, left-eyed birds using the naïve right eye had a superior performance compared to the initial acquisition scores of right-eyed birds and also showed a significant improvement in performance over transfer trials. Thus, although there was no direct evidence of lateralization during acquisition, there was unilateral transfer of the prey detection skill from the right to the left hemisphere.

Use of a geometric rule or absolute vectors: landmark use by Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana).

Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) were trained to search for a hidden goal located in the center of a four-landmark array. Upon completion of training, the nutcrackers were presented with tests that expanded the landmark array in the east-west direction, north-south direction and in both directions simultaneously. Although the birds learned to search accurately at the center of the landmark array during training, this search pattern did not transfer to the expansion tests. The nutcrackers searched at locations defined by absolute distance and/or direction relationships with landmarks in the training array. These results contrast with those from experiments with nutcrackers in which an abstract geometric rule was learned. This difference appears due to differences in the experimental paradigms used during training.

Rescuing valuable genomes by animal cloning: a case for natural disease resistance in cattle.

Tissue banking and animal cloning represent a powerful tool for conserving and regenerating valuable animal genomes. Here we report an example involving cattle and the rescue of a genome affording natural disease resistance. During the course of a 2-decade study involving the phenotypic and genotypic analysis for the functional and genetic basis of natural disease resistance against bovine brucellosis, a foundation sire was identified and confirmed to be genetically resistant to Brucella abortus. This unique animal was utilized extensively in numerous animal breeding studies to further characterize the genetic basis for natural disease resistance. The bull died in 1996 of natural causes, and no semen was available for AI, resulting in the loss of this valuable genome. Fibroblast cell lines had been established in 1985, cryopreserved, and stored in liquid nitrogen for future genetic analysis. Therefore, we decided to utilize these cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer to attempt the production of a cloned bull and salvage this valuable genotype. Embryos were produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer and transferred to 20 recipient cows, 10 of which became pregnant as determined by ultrasound at d 40 of gestation. One calf survived to term. At present, the cloned bull is 4.5 yr old and appears completely normal as determined by physical examination and blood chemistry. Furthermore, in vitro assays performed to date indicate this bull is naturally resistant to B. abortus, Mycobacterium bovis, and Salmonella typhimurium, as was the original genetic donor.

Immature monocytes from G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell collections carry surface-bound IL-10 and have the potential to modulate alloreactivity.

Production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by monocytes has been implicated as a probable negative regulator of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants (SCT). Monocytes from G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (gmPBSC) collections have been reported to produce more IL-10 than unmobilized monocytes in response to proinflammatory factors such as LPS. Why this should occur is unclear. In this study, monocyte phenotype and IL-10 localization and release were investigated in PB mononuclear cells (MNC) from 27 healthy donors mobilized for allogeneic SCT and from 13 patients with hematological malignancies mobilized for autologous SCT. All isolates contained elevated total percentages of monocytes in comparison with unmobilized PB, a high proportion of which displayed an immature phenotype. Stimulation of gmPB MNC with an inflammatory stimulus [fixed Staphylococcus aureus cells (SAC)] induced rapid up-regulation of CD14, indicating conversion to mature status. Localization studies indicated that IL-10 was predominantly present, bound on the surface of CD64(+)/CD14(low/neg) immature monocytes. Inflammatory stimuli (LPS, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, or SAC) induced release of variable quantities of IL-10 from the cell surface. MNC, separated into surface IL-10-positive or -negative fractions, differed in their ability to stimulate alloreactivity in MLR, and IL-10(+) MNC induced significantly lower levels of proliferation than IL-10(-) MNC. Thus, the subset of immature monocytes carrying surface-bound IL-10 in gmPB has the potential to modulate alloreactivity and GvHD after allogeneic SCT through cell-to-cell contact and released IL-10.

Characterization of culturable anaerobic bacteria from the forestomach of an eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus.

AIM: To determine the culturable biodiversity of anaerobic bacteria isolated from the forestomach contents of an eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, using phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacteria from forestomach contents of an eastern grey kangaroo were isolated using anaerobic media containing milled curly Mitchell grass (Astrebla lappacea). DNA was extracted and the 16S rDNA sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Forty bacterial isolates were obtained and placed in 17 groups based on phenotypic characteristics and restriction enzyme digestion of 16S rDNA PCR products. DNA sequencing revealed that the 17 groups comprised five known species (Clostridium butyricum, Streptococcus bovis, Clostridium sporogenes, Clostridium paraputrificum and Enterococcus avium) and 12 groups apparently representing new species, all within the phylum Firmicutes. CONCLUSIONS: Foregut contents from Australian macropod marsupials contain a microbial ecosystem with a novel bacterial biodiversity comprising a high percentage of previously unrecognized species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study adds to knowledge of Australia's unique biodiversity, which may provide a future bioresource of genetic information and bacterial species of benefit to agriculture.

Bison PRNP genotyping and potential association with Brucella spp. seroprevalence.

The implication that host cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) may function as a cell surface receptor and/or portal protein for Brucella abortus in mice prompted an evaluation of nucleotide and amino acid variation within exon 3 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) for six US bison populations. A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (T50C), resulting in the predicted amino acid replacement M17T (Met --> Thr), was identified in each population. To date, no variation (T50; Met) has been detected at the corresponding exon 3 nucleotide and/or amino acid position for domestic cattle. Notably, 80% (20 of 25) of the Yellowstone National Park bison possessing the C/C genotype were Brucella spp. seropositive, representing a significant (P = 0.021) association between seropositivity and the C/C genotypic class. Moreover, significant differences in the distribution of PRNP exon 3 alleles and genotypes were detected between Yellowstone National Park bison and three bison populations that were either founded from seronegative stock or previously subjected to test-and-slaughter management to eradicate brucellosis. Unlike domestic cattle, no indel polymorphisms were detected within the corresponding regions of the putative bison PRNP promoter, intron 1, octapeptide repeat region or 3'-untranslated region for any population examined. This study provides the first evidence of a potential association between nucleotide variation within PRNP exon 3 and the presence of Brucella spp. antibodies in bison, implicating PrP(C) in the natural resistance of bison to brucellosis infection.

Impaction allografting with cement for extensive femoral bone loss in revision hip surgery: a 4- to 8-year follow-up study.

The current study evaluates the 4- to 8-year results of 26 cemented femoral revisions with impaction allografting using a collared femoral component in cases of extensive femoral bone loss. Patients were followed prospectively and were evaluated at an average of 6.0 years after the allograft revision procedure. The average age at the time of surgery was 69.3 years. At final follow-up, 20 patients (20 hips) were living, and 6 patients (6 hips) were deceased. No femoral component rerevisions were performed for any reason in any patient, and none were radiographically loose at final follow-up. There was 1 subsided femoral component of <5 mm, 3 postoperative periprosthetic femoral fractures, and a greater trochanter nonunion rate of 32%. At the current follow-up interval, these cemented femoral revisions with impaction allografting have performed well with excellent clinical and radiographic durability in this difficult patient population. The prevalence of periprosthetic fracture is a significant concern. This study shows durable results using the impaction allografting technique in cases of severe bone loss.

Revision of a cemented acetabular component to a cementless acetabular component. A ten to fourteen-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Although cementless acetabular components are routinely used in revision hip surgery, few investigators have evaluated the retention and efficacy of these components in the long term. In the current study, the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a series of arthroplasties performed by one surgeon with a cementless acetabular component were assessed at a minimum of ten years. METHODS: From 1986 through 1988, sixty-one consecutive revision total hip arthroplasties were performed in fifty-five patients because of aseptic failure of one or both components of a prosthesis in which both components had been cemented. Twenty-eight patients (thirty-two hips) were alive at a mean of 12.9 years (range, 11.5 to 14.3 years) after the operation. In all of the patients, the acetabular component was revised to a porous-coated Harris-Galante component inserted without cement, and the femoral component was revised to an Iowa component affixed with contemporary cementing techniques. The hips were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a minimum of ten years subsequent to the index revision. No hips were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: None of the acetabular components required revision because of aseptic loosening. Two hips (3%) demonstrated radiographic evidence of aseptic loosening of the acetabular component. The polyethylene liner was exchanged during the follow-up period in eight hips. CONCLUSION: After a minimum of ten years of follow-up, cementless acetabular fixation in revision hip arthroplasty had produced durable results that were markedly better than those reported for acetabular fixation with cement.

Synthesis, structure, and electronic properties of monomeric and dimeric trispyrazolylborate platinum(II) hydride complexes.

Tp'PtMe(H)2 (2) [Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate] has been prepared from Tp'PtMe(CO) (1) via reaction with water in a basic acetone/water mixture. Protonation of 2 at one of the pyrazole nitrogen atoms induces methane elimination, and the resulting platinum(II) monohydride solvent intermediate (3) can be trapped by added ligand. Two chiral cationic platinum(II) monohydride complexes of the type [kappa(2)-((Hpz)BHpz2)Pt(H)(L)][BAr'4] [L = MeCN (4), CH2=CH2 (5); pz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl, BAr'4 = tetrakis(3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)borate] have been isolated. If 2 is protonated in the absence of trapping ligand, a deep red hydride-bridged dinuclear complex, [kappa(2)-((Hpz)BHpz2)Pt(mu-H)]2[BAr'4]2 (6), forms. DFT calculations supplement intuitive expectations regarding 3-center-2-electron bridging orbital descriptions for the electronic structure of this complex. X-ray structure determinations for the monomeric acetonitrile adduct 4 and the dicationic dimer 6 are reported.

Reactions of an amphoteric terminal tungsten methylidyne complex.

Treatment of [Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--PPh(3)][PF(6)] (Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate)) with Na[HBEt(3)] in THF forms the methylidyne complex Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H via formyl and carbene intermediates Tp'(CO)(C(O)H)W triple bond C- PPh(3) and Tp'(CO)(2)W=C(PPh(3))(H), respectively. Spectroscopic features reported for Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H include the W triple bond C stretch (observed by both IR and Raman spectroscopy) and the (183)W NMR signal (detected by a (1)H, (183)W 2D HMQC experiment). Protonation of the Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H methylidyne complex with HBF(4).Et(2)O yields the cationic alpha-agostic methylidene complex [Tp'(CO)(2)W=CH(2)][BF(4)]. The methylidyne complex Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C-H can be deprotonated with alkyllithium reagents to provide the anionic terminal carbide Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--Li; a downfield resonance at 556 ppm in the (13)C NMR spectrum has been assigned to the carbide carbon. The terminal carbide Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C-Li adds electrophiles at the carbide carbon to generate Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--R (R = CH(3), SiMe(3), I, C(OH)Ph(2), CH(OH)Ph, and C(O)Ph) Fischer carbynes. A pK(a) of 28.7 was determined for Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H in THF by titrating the terminal carbide Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--Li with 2-benzylpyridine and monitoring its conversion to Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H with in situ IR spectroscopy. Addition of excess Na[HBEt(3)] to neutral Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H generates the anionic methylidene complex [Na][Tp'(CO)(2)W=CH(2)]. The synthetic methodology for generating an anionic methylidene complex by hydride addition to neutral Tp'(CO)(2)W triple bond C--H contrasts with routes that utilize alpha-hydrogen abstraction or hydride removal from neutral methyl precursors to generate methylidene complexes. Addition of PhSSPh to the anionic methylidene complex in solution generates the saturated tungsten product Tp'(CO)(2)W(eta(2)-CH(2)SPh) by net addition of the SPh(+) moiety.