The human hunger sensation (HS) is a perceptive signal characterized by day-night variability (DNV). This pattern was investigated with respect to its relations with the body compartments in 22 clinically healthy subjects (CHS, 11 males and 11 females, mean age: 24 +/- 2.5 years, mean BMI: 21 +/- 1.7). The DNV was investigated by means of conventional descriptive statistics and the single cosinor method (SCM). Both procedures were applied to the orexigram, i.e., the 24-h profile of the orectic stimulus (OS) provided by each subject, who self-rated his/her HS (from 1 to 10 hunger units) every half hour. Body composition was investigated by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) on the day when the orexigrams were compiled. It was found that the daily HS level correlates positively with the Free Fat Body Mass (FFBM) and negatively with the Fat Body Mass (FBM). These opposite relations indicate that HS is stimulated by the needs of the FFBM, and inhibited by expansion of the FBM, and provide further evidence of the existence of an "adipostat" anorectic mechanism.

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Background Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea is a rare tumor, characterized by slow growth and low rate of local and distant metastasis. When achievable, complete surgical resection represents the optimal treatment approach, with the highest results in terms of overall survival. Radiation therapy is a reasonable alternative in cases of inoperable disease. Case presentation We report a case of an 82-year-old white man affected by primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea, treated with debulking surgery and radiotherapy on the residual disease. A three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy was conducted. The total dose amounted to 70 Gy, administered in 35 fractions of 2 Gy. The medium doses given to the esophagus and lungs were 23 Gy and 4.2 Gy respectively. The maximum dose delivered to the spinal cord was 31 Gy with satisfactory results in terms of local control of the disease. Conclusion A combined approach of surgical resection followed by radiotherapy on the residual disease provided an excellent result in terms of disease control, quality of life, and overall survival in a patient with locally advanced tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma.

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