This work will be closely focused on risks and critical questions identified by the Cardiovascular Alterations Team as described in the Bioastronautics Critical Path Road Map Baseline Document. If successful, this project will enhance assessment of cardiac function during long duration missions and potentially suggest cytokine promoters or signal transduction pathways that could be targeted for cardiac atrophy countermeasures. In addition, we will continue to provide the facilities of our Core laboratory for access by investigators throughout the NASA and NSBRI programs in need of assistance in acquiring or analyzing ultrasonic data.