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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2005.11.006 Byline: Papassapa Rauyruen, Kenneth E. Miller Keywords: Loyalty; Relationship quality; B2B; Service quality; Courier services; Trust; Commitment; Satisfaction Abstract: This study aims to provide a picture of how relationship quality can influence customer loyalty in the business-to-business (B2B) context. Building on prior research, we propose relationship quality as a higher construct comprising trust, commitment, satisfaction and service quality. We believe that these dimensions of relationship quality can reasonably explain the influence of overall relationship quality on customer loyalty. In addition, this study provides more insightful explanations of the influence of relationship quality on customer loyalty through two levels of relationship quality: relationship quality with employees of the supplier and relationship quality with the supplier itself as a whole. Aiming to fully explain the concept of customer loyalty, we follow the composite loyalty approach providing both behavioral aspects (purchase intentions) and attitudinal loyalty. We seek to address three main research issues: Does relationship quality influence both aspects of customer loyalty? If so, which relationship quality dimensions influence each of the components of customer loyalty? And which level of relationship quality (employee level versus organizational level) has more influence on customer loyalty? This study uses the courier delivery service context in Australia and targets Australian Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We selected mail survey and online survey as the two methods of data collection, and together they received 306 usable respondents. Structural equation modeling yields insights into the influence of the dimensions and levels of relationship quality on customer loyalty. Results show that all four dimensions of relationship quality influence attitudinal loyalty, however, only satisfaction and perceived service quality influence behavioral loyalty (purchase intentions). Most remarkably, results indicate that only the organizational level of relationship quality influences customer loyalty. The employee level of relationship quality does not play a significant in influencing B2B customer loyalty in this study. Author Affiliation: University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia Article History: Received 1 September 2005; Revised 1 October 2005; Accepted 1 November 2005

The intrinsic cardiac nervous system modulates cardiac function by acting as an integration site for regulating autonomic efferent cardiac output. This intrinsic system is proposed to be composed of a short cardio-cardiac feedback control loop within the cardiac innervation hierarchy. For example, electrophysiological studies have postulated the presence of sensory neurons in intrinsic cardiac ganglia (ICG) for regional cardiac control. There is still a knowledge gap, however, about the anatomical location and neurochemical phenotype of sensory neurons inside ICG. In the present study, rat ICG neurons were characterized neurochemically with immunohistochemistry using glutamatergic markers: vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2 (VGLUT1; VGLUT2), and glutaminase (GLS), the enzyme essential for glutamate production. Glutamatergic neurons (VGLUT1/VGLUT2/GLS) in the ICG that have axons to the ventricles were identified by retrograde tracing of wheat germ agglutinin–horseradish peroxidase (WGA–HRP) injected in the ventricular wall. Co-labeling of VGLUT1, VGLUT2, and GLS with the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) was used to evaluate the relationship between post-ganglionic autonomic neurons and glutamatergic neurons. Sequential labeling of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in adjacent tissue sections was used to evaluate the co-localization of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in ICG neurons. Our studies yielded the following results: (1) ICG contain glutamatergic neurons with GLS for glutamate production and VGLUT1 and 2 for transport of glutamate into synaptic vesicles; (2) atrial ICG contain neurons that project to ventricle walls and these neurons are glutamatergic; (3) many glutamatergic ICG neurons also were cholinergic, expressing VAChT; (4) VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 co-localization occurred in ICG neurons with variation of their protein expression level. Investigation of both glutamatergic and cholinergic ICG neurons could help in better understanding the function of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In addition to using glutamate as a neurotransmitter at central synapses, many primary sensory neurons release glutamate from peripheral terminals. Primary sensory neurons with cell bodies in dorsal root or trigeminal ganglia produce glutaminase, the synthetic enzyme for glutamate, and transport the enzyme in mitochondria to peripheral terminals. Vesicular glutamate transporters fill neurotransmitter vesicles with glutamate and they are shipped to peripheral terminals. Intense noxious stimuli or tissue damage causes glutamate to be released from peripheral afferent nerve terminals and augmented release occurs during acute and chronic inflammation. The site of action for glutamate can be at the autologous or nearby nerve terminals. Peripheral nerve terminals contain both ionotropic and metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptors (EAARs) and activation of these receptors can lower the activation threshold and increase the excitability of primary afferents. Antagonism of EAARs can reduce excitability of activated afferents and produce antinociception in many animal models of acute and chronic pain. Glutamate injected into human skin and muscle causes acute pain. Trauma in humans, such as arthritis, myalgia, and tendonitis, elevates glutamate levels in affected tissues. There is evidence that EAAR antagonism at peripheral sites can provide relief in some chronic pain sufferers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In inflamed tissue, the levels of the excitatory amino acid glutamate are increased. Glutamate sensitizes peripheral axons of primary afferent neurons during inflammation leading to decreased firing threshold and hyperexcitability. One proposed source of glutamate is the primary afferent. Antagonizing glutamate receptors on peripheral axons of primary afferents during inflammation provides analgesia in animals and humans. The enzyme glutaminase is used by primary sensory neurons to convert glutamine to glutamate, and peripheral inhibition of glutaminase with 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) provides long-lasting analgesia during inflammation. In this study, we measured the effects of glutaminase inhibition on carrageenan-induced spinal Fos expression. Rats were given intraplantar injections of carrageenan and treated locally with either vehicle or DON. After 3h of inflammation, hind paw swelling and spinal expression of Fos were examined. CellProfiler was used to automate Fos nuclei counting in five laminar groupings in the spinal cord (I–II, III–IV, V–VI, VII–IX, X). Carrageenan increased hind paw thickness by ∼70% and spinal Fos expression in superficial (I–II) and deep (V–VI) laminae by 10-fold and 5-fold, respectively. Treatment with DON reduced hind paw swelling by ∼13% and suppressed Fos expression in the laminae I–II by ∼54%, but not the deep laminae. Our results further support the notion of glutamate as a peripheral inflammatory mediator and indicate that glutaminase should be considered as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of inflammatory pain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper seeks to bridge the divisive split between advocates of trauma-focused and psychosocial approaches to understanding and addressing mental health needs in conflict and post-conflict settings by emphasizing the role that daily stressors play in mediating direct war exposure and mental health outcomes. The authors argue that trauma-focused advocates tend to overemphasize the impact of direct war exposure on mental health, and fail to consider the contribution of stressful social and material conditions (daily stressors). Drawing on the findings of recent studies that have examined the relationship of both war exposure and daily stressors to mental health status, a model is proposed in which daily stressors partially mediate the relationship of war exposure to mental health. Based on that model, and on the growing body of research that supports it, an integrative, sequenced approach to intervention is proposed in which daily stressors are first addressed, and specialized interventions are then provided for individuals whose distress does not abate with the repair of the social ecology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Supporting glial cells of the peripheral nervous system include satellite cells of dorsal root ganglia and Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. In the central nervous system, glial cells contain enzymes related to the tricarboxylic acid and glutamine cycles: pyruvate carboxylase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and glutamine synthetase. The present study used immunohistochemistry in the rat peripheral nervous system to determine the cellular distribution of these enzymes along with glutamine. In dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves, glutamine and glutamine related enzymes were enriched in satellite and Schwann cells. In the dorsal root ganglia, immunoreactive satellite cells surrounded neurons of all sizes. In peripheral nerve, immunoreactive Schwann cells were most easily observed surrounding large diameter, myelinated axons. These Schwann cells contained immunoreactivity in their cell bodies, nodes of Ranvier, and the rim of cytoplasm outside the myelin sheath. Myelin sheaths were non-immunoreactive. The peripheral glial tricarboxylic and glutamine cycles may be used to produce glutamine for neuronal cell uptake and conversion to glutamate for synaptic transmission. Alternatively, these cycles may function in peripheral glia similar to central nervous system astrocytes for supporting the energy demands of neurons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The impact of armed conflict and displacement on children's mental health is strongly mediated by compromised parenting stemming from persistently high caregiver stress. Parenting interventions for refugees emphasize the acquisition of parenting knowledge and skills, while overlooking the deleterious effects of chronic stress on parenting. War Child Holland's Caregiver Support Intervention (CSI) aims to strengthen parenting by lowering stress and improving psychosocial wellbeing among refugee parents, while also increasing knowledge and skill related to positive parenting. The CSI is a nine-session group intervention delivered by non-specialist providers. We describe the findings of a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial of the CSI with Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The primary aim was to test the feasibility of our study methodology prior to conducting a definitive RCT. We recruited 78 families (151 parents), who were randomized to the CSI or a waitlist control group. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Randomization was successful, retention was high (99 %), as was intervention completion (95 % among women, 86 % among men). Implementation fidelity was excellent. Blinding was largely, though not completely effective. The CSI group showed significantly increased parental warmth and responsiveness, decreased harsh parenting, lowered stress and distress, improved psychosocial wellbeing, and improved stress management. CSI parents reported increased child psychosocial wellbeing. Control families showed no significant change on any variable. Findings demonstrate the feasibility of our methodology for a definitive RCT, and suggest that the CSI shows promise as a scalable approach to strengthening parenting in refugee communities. Trial registration # ISRCTN33665023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some evidence shows that the upper cervical spinal cord might play an important role in propriospinal processing as a sensory filter and modulator for visceral afferents. The aims of this study were to determine (1) the responses of C1–C2 spinal neurons to gastric distension and (2) the relative contribution of vagal and spinal visceral afferent pathways for transmission of gastric input to the upper cervical spinal cord. Extracellular potentials of single C1–C2 spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital anesthetized male rats. Graded gastric distension (20–80 mm Hg) was produced by air inflation of a latex balloon surgically placed in the stomach. Sixteen percent of the neurons (32/198) responded to gastric distension; 17 neurons were excited and 15 neurons were inhibited by gastric distension. Spontaneous activity of neurons with inhibitory responses was higher than those neurons with excitatory responses (18.1±2.7 vs. 3.8±1.7 impulses s−1, p<0.001). Twenty-eight of thirty-two (87.5%) neurons responded to mechanical stimulation of somatic fields on head, neck, ears or shoulder. Most lesion sites of neurons with excitatory responses were found in laminae V, VII; however, neurons with inhibitory responses were in laminae III, IV. Bilateral cervical vagotomy abolished responses of 4/8 neurons tested. Spinal transection at C6–C7 abolished responses of the other four neurons that still responded to gastric distension after bilateral vagotomy. Results of these data supported the concept that a group of C1–C2 spinal neurons might play a role in processing sensory information from the stomach that travels in vagal and spinal visceral afferent fibers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purposes of this study were to examine responses of superficial (depth <300 μm) and deeper thoracic spinal neurons to chemical stimulation of cardiac afferents and effects of descending influences on these neurons. Extracellular potentials of single T3–T4 neurons were recorded in pentobarbital anesthetized, paralyzed and ventilated male rats. A catheter was placed in the pericardial sac to administer 0.2 ml of a mixture of algogenic chemicals that contained adenosine (10−3 M), bradykinin, histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin E2 (10−5 M). Fifteen of 55 (27%) superficial neurons responsive to intrapericardial chemicals were compared to 80/169 (47%) deeper neurons. All 15 superficial neurons that responded to cardiac afferents were excited (E), whereas 66 deeper neurons were excited, ten were inhibited and four showed excitation–inhibition. Spontaneous activity of superficial neurons with short-lasting excitatory responses was significantly lower than that of deeper neurons (P<0.05). Somatic receptive fields on chest, axilla, arm and upper back areas were found for 77/95 (81%) neurons that responded to intrapericardial chemicals. The proportion of somatic field properties and their sizes in superficial neurons were similar to deeper neurons. After cervical spinal transection, both spontaneous activity and responses to chemical stimulation of cardiac afferents significantly increased in six out of six neurons excited by intrapericardial injections. Results showed that chemical stimulation of cardiac afferents excited superficial T3–T4 spinal neurons, whereas deeper neurons exhibited multiple patterns of responses. Some characteristics of subgroups of superficial neurons were quantitatively different from deeper neurons. Thoracic spinal neurons processing cardiac nociceptive information were under tonic descending inhibition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) protein is expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of DRG neurons. • Increased NeuN/FOX-3 expression indicates a robust DRG neuronal response at the peak swelling timepoint of CFA-induced acute inflammation. • No morphologic signs of nuclear shrinking, chromatin condensation, or DNA fragmentation were observed in DRG neurons of any inflammatory group. • These data suggest that there are no signs of DRG neuronal suffering or injury at the 48-h timepoint of the AIA model in the hind paw of the rat. Pseudo-unipolar cell bodies of somatosensory primary neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The somatic and peripheral domains of DRG neurons are often studied in sensory pain research to understand molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of pain and maintenance of inflammation. Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) is an inflammatory model that elicits a robust and rapid onset immune response with a maximal swelling period of 24−48 h and persisting for several weeks. The AIA model in the hind paw of the rat elicits a potent inflammatory response of the dermis and epidermis, leading to protein expression changes for sensitization of many DRG neurons; however, it is unknown if the AIA model in the hind paw of the rat induces DRG neuronal injury, necrosis, or apoptosis at the somatic level. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) antigen is a biomarker for post-mitotic neurons, neuronal identification, protein alterations, injury, and loss. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is expressed in C and Aδ DRG neurons, a subset of DRG neurons known to play a role in peripheral sensitization. The focus of this research was to evaluate the expression pattern of NeuN immunoreactivity, in size (soma) and CGRP subpopulations of DRG neurons in naïve and inflamed groups. Confirmed by both immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation, DRG neuronal expression of NeuN was localized to nuclear and cytoplasmic subcellular compartments. NeuN increased within the nucleus of small CGRP positive DRG neurons during inflammation, indicating a potential role for NeuN in a subset of nociceptive neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Arrestin-1 (βArr1) plays a major role in the desensitization and internalization of G protein-coupled receptors. We previously localized βArr1 in the sensory neurons of rat lumbar 4 and 5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and reported the predominant presence of βArr1 in the small-diameter DRG neurons that are often implicated with nociception. Because of βArr1’s crucial role in regulating the initiation of cellular signaling, in the current study we evaluated the distribution of βArr1 in the peripheral sensory terminals where various receptors are present. Western blotting confirmed the presence of βArr1 immunoreactivity in the rat skin. Sciatic nerve ligation demonstrated that βArr1 is transported peripherally from the DRG, and immunohistochemistry showed βArr1 immunoreactivity in the glabrous skin of the rat hindpaw. In the glabrous skin, strong βArr1 immunoreactivity was detected in nerve fibers in the dermal nerve plexus and dermal papillae. Fine varicose immunoreactive fibers were found in the epidermis. In addition, βArr1 was observed in specialized sensory receptors such as Meissner corpuscles. Our observations thus indicate that βArr1 may be involved in modulation of specific tactile stimulation from the skin in addition to nociception. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]