Ai Kubo, MPH, PhD

People

Sex and Race/Ethnicity-specific Multilevel Factors Influencing Pubertal Trajectories: A Population-based Study

The goal of this project is to describe the normative distributions of pubertal development among boys and girls by race/ethnicity and to investigate early-life risk factors affecting pubertal onset and tempo (velocity of transition between onset and maturation). We will also examine contextual factors such as the social and built environment as potential risk factors.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

mHealth Mindfulness Intervention for Women with Perinatal Depression: A Feasibility Study

The primary goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of conducting a mobile-health mindfulness intervention (mHealth) study among pregnant and postpartum women with depressive symptoms. Perinatal depression has numerous adverse health consequences, including preterm delivery, negative maternal-infant interaction, and child behavior problems. We will recruit ~30 women who present symptoms of perinatal depression from the OBGYN clinics at Kaiser Permanente and use a single-arm intervention design to assess the feasibility of conducting a six-week mHealth mindfulness intervention. We will also obtain preliminary efficacy results consisting of patient-reported outcomes on depression, anxiety, perceived stress, health behaviors, mindfulness, and sleep.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: Northern California Community Benefit Programs

A Pilot Pragmatic Trial of mHealth Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Quality of Life Among Metastatic Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Screening for psychosocial distress is an accreditation requirement of the Commission on Cancer, underscoring the importance of addressing cancer patients’ psychosocial needs. Mindfulness-based training is one strategy that has been shown to help cancer patients reduce distress and improve quality of life. However, logistical requirements of standard in-person mindfulness classes make it impractical for cancer patients to receive benefit. To address this issue, we have conducted a few studies that demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of non-face-to-face mindfulness approaches (e.g., CD, MP3 and mobile app). Building on these studies, this project will pilot test the feasibility of implementing a mobile/online-based mindfulness program for advanced cancer patients and their caregivers in a cluster randomized trial involving six oncology clinics.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: The Permanente Medical Group

Being Present: A Feasibility Study of Audio-Based Mindfulness Meditation Intervention for Metastatic Cancer Patients and Caregiver

Based on our previous pilot study of CD-based mindfulness intervention for cancer patients, we propose to develop a mobile application and pilot test its acceptability among cancer patients and their caregivers in order to reduce stress and to improve quality of life. We will hold a focus group to obtain participants feedback regarding the mobile-based intervention, and conduct an 8-week feasibility study using the application.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: Kaiser Permanente Institutional Planned Giving

Mobile App-Based Mindfulness Pilot Study for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

This pilot randomized trial will test the feasibility of a mobile-app based mindfulness intervention for cancer patients and their caregivers in order to reduce stress, and to improve quality of life and patient-provider communication.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: American Cancer Society

Early Life Determinants of Accelerated Pubertal Development in Adolescent Girls

The goal of this research is to identify early life factors which influence the timing of pubertal development among adolescent girls. The first study utilizes data from the Cohort Study of Young Girls Nutrition, Environment and Transitions (CYGNET), which has been collecting detailed data on pubertal development, behavioral, environmental, and anthropometric information among 444 adolescent girls since 2005. The second study is a prospective cohort study of approximately 10,000 adolescent girls (age 8-9) within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. We will use Tanner stage information that has been entered into HealthConnect to identify early life risk factors of early pubertal development as well as racial/ethnic differences in the timing of pubertal development.
Investigator: Kubo, Ai
Funder: National Cancer Institute

Perceived psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain among women with gestational diabetes

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Brown SD; Ehrlich SF; Tsai AL; Quesenberry CP; Crites Y; Hedderson MM

PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0174290. Epub 2017-03-28.

PubMed abstract

Associations Between Maternal Pregravid Obesity and Gestational Diabetes and the Timing of Pubarche in Daughters

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Laurent CA; Windham GC; Greenspan LC; Deardorff J; Hiatt RA; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH

Am J Epidemiol. 2016 Jun 7.

PubMed abstract

Maternal Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy Predicts Adiposity of the Offspring

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Windham GC; Greenspan LC; Deardorff J; Hiatt RA; Quesenberry CP; Laurent C; Mirabedi AS; Kushi LH

Diabetes Care. 2014 Nov;37(11):2996-3002. Epub 2014-08-22.

PubMed abstract

Yoga for heart failure patients; a feasibility pilot study with a multiethnic population

Author(s): Kubo A; Hung YY; Ritterman J

Int J Yoga Therap. 2011;(21):77-83.

PubMed abstract

Maternal Gestational Weight Gain, Obesity, and the Timing of Pubertal Onset in Daughters

Author(s): Aghaee S; Laurent CA; Deardorff J; Ferrara A; Greenspan LC; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH; Kubo A

Am J Epidemiol. 2019 Mar 15.

PubMed abstract

A Randomized Controlled Trial of mHealth Mindfulness Intervention for Cancer Patients and Informal Cancer Caregivers: A Feasibility Study Within an Integrated Health Care Delivery System

Author(s): Kubo A; Kurtovich E; McGinnis M; Aghaee S; Altschuler A; Quesenberry C; Kolevska T; Avins AL

Integr Cancer Ther. 2019 Jan-Dec;18:1534735419850634.

PubMed abstract

Being Present: A single-arm feasibility study of audio-based mindfulness meditation for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers

Author(s): Atreya CE; Kubo A; Altschuler A; Dhruva A; et al.

PLoS ONE. 2018;13(7):e0199423. Epub 2018-07-23.

PubMed abstract

Personal and clinical social support and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients in an integrated health care system

Author(s): Kroenke CH; Hershman DL; Gomez SL; Adams SR; Eldridge EH; Kwan ML; Ergas IJ; Kubo A; Kushi LH

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018 Apr 18.

PubMed abstract

A Pilot Mobile-based Mindfulness Intervention for Cancer Patients and their Informal Caregivers

Author(s): Kubo A; Altschuler A; Kurtovich E; Hendlish S; Laurent CA; Kolevska T; Li Y; Avins A

Mindfulness (N Y). 2018 Dec;9(6):1885-1894. Epub 2018-03-24.

PubMed abstract

Associations Between Maternal Obesity and Pregnancy Hyperglycemia and Timing of Pubertal Onset in Adolescent Girls: A Population-Based Study

Author(s): Kubo A; Deardorff J; Laurent CA; Ferrara A; Greenspan LC; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH

Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Mar 15.

PubMed abstract

Perceived psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain among women with gestational diabetes

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Brown SD; Ehrlich SF; Tsai AL; Quesenberry CP; Crites Y; Hedderson MM

PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0174290. Epub 2017-03-28.

PubMed abstract

Prevention of Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B: An Observational Study

Author(s): Kubo A; Shlager L; Marks AR; Lakritz D; Beaumont C; Gabellini K; Corley DA

Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jun 17;160(12):828-35.

PubMed abstract

Associations Between Maternal Pregravid Obesity and Gestational Diabetes and the Timing of Pubarche in Daughters

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Laurent CA; Windham GC; Greenspan LC; Deardorff J; Hiatt RA; Quesenberry CP; Kushi LH

Am J Epidemiol. 2016 Jun 7.

PubMed abstract

Lifestyle behaviors and ethnic identity among diverse women at high risk for type 2 diabetes

Author(s): Brown SD; Ehrlich SF; Kubo A; Tsai AL; Hedderson MM; Quesenberry CP; Ferrara A

Soc Sci Med. 2016 May 14;160:87-93. Epub 2016-5-14.

PubMed abstract

Maternal Hyperglycemia During Pregnancy Predicts Adiposity of the Offspring

Author(s): Kubo A; Ferrara A; Windham GC; Greenspan LC; Deardorff J; Hiatt RA; Quesenberry CP; Laurent C; Mirabedi AS; Kushi LH

Diabetes Care. 2014 Nov;37(11):2996-3002. Epub 2014-08-22.

PubMed abstract

Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Author(s): Kubo A; Block G; Quesenberry CP; Buffler P; Corley DA

BMC Gastroenterol. 2014;14:144. Epub 2014-08-14.

PubMed abstract

Sex-specific associations between body mass index, waist circumference and the risk of Barrett's oesophagus: a pooled analysis from the international BEACON consortium

Author(s): Kubo A; Cook MB; Shaheen NJ; Vaughan TL; Whiteman DC; Murray L; Corley DA

Gut. 2013 Dec;62(12):1684-91.

PubMed abstract

Dietary fiber and the risk of precancerous lesions and cancer of the esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s): Coleman HG; Murray LJ; Hicks B; Bhat SK; Kubo A; Corley DA; Cardwell CR; Cantwell MM

Nutr Rev. 2013 Jul;71(7):474-82. Epub 2013 Apr 24.

PubMed abstract

Yoga for heart failure patients; a feasibility pilot study with a multiethnic population

Author(s): Kubo A; Hung YY; Ritterman J

Int J Yoga Therap. 2011;(21):77-83.

PubMed abstract

Dietary factors and the risks of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's oesophagus

Author(s): Kubo A; Corley DA; Jensen CD; Kaur R

Nutr Res Rev. 2010 Dec;23(2):230-46. Epub 2010 Jul 13.

PubMed abstract

Proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor antagonists are associated with hip fractures among at-risk patients

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Zhao W; Quesenberry C

Gastroenterology. 2010 Jul;139(1):93-101. Epub 2010 Mar 27.

PubMed abstract

Alcohol types and sociodemographic characteristics as risk factors for Barrett's esophagus

Author(s): Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Rumore GJ; Quesenberry CP Jr; Buffler P; Corley DA

Gastroenterology. 2009 Mar;136(3):806-15. Epub 2008 Nov 27.

PubMed abstract

Race, ethnicity, sex and temporal differences in Barrett's oesophagus diagnosis: a large community-based study, 1994-2006

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Habel L; Rumore G; Quesenberry C; Buffler P

Gut. 2009 Feb;58(2):182-8. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

PubMed abstract

Effects of dietary fiber, fats, and meat intakes on the risk of Barrett's esophagus

Author(s): Kubo A; Block G; Quesenberry CP Jr; Buffler P; Corley DA

Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(5):607-16.

PubMed abstract

Hemochromatosis gene status as a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Habel L; Rumore GJ; Quesenberry C; Buffler P

Dig Dis Sci. 2008 Dec;53(12):3095-102. Epub 2008 May 10.

PubMed abstract

Helicobacter pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a case-control study

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Habel L; Rumore G; Quesenberry C; Buffler P; Parsonnet J

Helicobacter. 2008 Oct;13(5):352-60.

PubMed abstract

Dietary antioxidants, fruits, and vegetables and the risk of Barrett's esophagus

Author(s): Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Rumore GJ; Quesenberry CP Jr; Buffler P; Corley DA

Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul;103(7):1614-23; quiz 1624.

PubMed abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of Barrett's oesophagus: a community-based study

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Levin TR; Block G; Habel L; Zhao W; Leighton P; Rumore G; Quesenberry C; Buffler P; Parsonnet J

Gut. 2008 Jun;57(6):727-33. Epub 2007 Sep 25.

PubMed abstract

Abdominal obesity and the risk of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinomas

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Zhao W

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Feb;17(2):352-8.

PubMed abstract

Meta-analysis of antioxidant intake and the risk of esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma

Author(s): Kubo A; Corley DA

Am J Gastroenterol. 2007 Oct;102(10):2323-30; quiz 2331. Epub 2007 Jun 20.

PubMed abstract

Abdominal obesity, ethnicity and gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A; Zhao W

Gut. 2007 Jun;56(6):756-62. Epub 2006 Oct 17.

PubMed abstract

Body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A

Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov;101(11):2619-28. Epub 2006 Sep 4.

PubMed abstract

Body mass index and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus or gastric cardia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s): Kubo A; Corley DA

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 May;15(5):872-8.

PubMed abstract

Risk of hemorrhagic stroke in Asian American ethnic groups

Author(s): Klatsky AL; Friedman GD; Sidney S; Kipp H; Kubo A; Armstrong MA

Neuroepidemiology. 2005;25(1):26-31. Epub 2005 Apr 25.

PubMed abstract

Influence of site classification on cancer incidence rates: an analysis of gastric cardia carcinomas

Author(s): Corley DA; Kubo A

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Sep 15;96(18):1383-7.

PubMed abstract

Marked multi-ethnic variation of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinomas within the United States

Author(s): Kubo A; Corley DA

Am J Gastroenterol. 2004 Apr;99(4):582-8.

PubMed abstract

Marked regional variation in adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and the gastric cardia in the United States

Author(s): Kubo A; Corley DA

Cancer. 2002 Nov 15;95(10):2096-102.

PubMed abstract