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In studies worldwide, respiratory outcomes such as cough, wheeze and asthma have been consistently linked to mold exposure. Young children spend most of their time indoors and may be particularly vulnerable. We evaluated the associations between exposure to airborne fungal levels and episodes of wheezing in a cohort of 103 infants at risk for asthma (due to maternal history of asthma), living primarily in low-income urban settings. Using a new protocol that facilitates identification of rare and slow-growing fungi, we measured the type and concentration of cultured fungi in home air samples taken early in the infant's first year of life. We also inspected the homes for visible mold, water damage and other housing and environmental conditions. All homes had measurable indoor airborne fungi and 73%, had some sign of mold, water damage, dampness or a musty odor. One or more episodes of wheeze during the first year of life were observed in 38% of infants. Multiple logistic regression showed high indoor levels of Penicillium were a significant risk factor for wheeze (OR 6.18; 95% CI: 1.34-28.46) in the first year of life after controlling for season of sampling, smoking, endotoxin levels, day care attendance and confounders. Acrodontium, a rarely reported fungal genus, was detected in 18% of study homes, and was associated with wheeze in unadjusted models (OR 2.75; 95% CI 0.99-7.61), but not after adjustment for confounders. Total fungal levels, visually observed mold, dampness, water damage or musty odors were not significantly associated with wheeze.

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Eighty-seven Picea and Larix samples from thirty-nine species were examined microscopically to confirm an accurate method of genus separation. The proportions and type of ray tracheid bordered pits as described by Bartholin (1979) were the only wood anatomical feature to correctly identify all specimens.

Light micrographs of the anatomical features of brown rot, white rot and soft rot are presented here to facilitate easy identification of each type of decay in birch and pine. This paper presents the light-microscopic observations made during the course of several broad studies of wood deterioration by fungi. A key aids the identification of brown rot, white rot and soft rot in wood and wood products. Features used for identification include bore hole size and frequency, shape of erosion channels and cavities, cell separations and changes in birefringence as observed on unstained sections with polarized light or differential interference contrast microscopy. Included are descriptions of white-rot and soft-rot erosion patterns at several decay stages.

pine Summary A new type of soft rot of southern pine longitudinal tracheids is described. In this type, soft-rot cavities form by diffuse degradation of the $2 cell wall layer by hyphae growing within the cell wall. Cavity formation is diffuse and irregular as opposed to the restricted, periodic cavity formation typical of type i soft rot. Proboscis hyphae are small (diameter 0.6 to 0.9 gm) and rapidly autolyse. These proboscis hyphae are not easily recognizable with light microscopy, especially at later stages of decay, but require transmission electron microscopy to confirm their presence. This may be an alternative interpretation of the type 2 soft rot of softwoods described previously as being caused by lumenal hyphae through an intact $3. Chemical analysis of pine test blocks revealed a greater loss of glucose and an increase of galactose with diffuse type i species compared to typical type 1 soft rot species. The term "diffuse type 1" is suggested to describe this soft rot.

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