Background: Although recent advancements in ischemic stroke management have reduced associated mortality rates, there remains a pressing need for more reliable, efficacious, and well-tolerated therapeutic approaches due to the narrow therapeutic window of current treatment approaches. The current meta-analysis sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based therapeutic options for patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy (SCT) in ischemic stroke patients. Key outcomes included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel Index (BI), Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA), infarct size, and safety profile. The random effects model with the continuous method was used to calculate the pooled effect size in Review Manager 5.4.1, and subgroup analyses were performed based on demographics, stroke duration, and SCT delivery protocols. Results: A total of 18 RCTs involving 1026 patients were analyzed, with 538 in the treatment group and 488 in the control group. The mean change in NIHSS score was comparable between groups [MD = −0.80; 95% CI: −2.25, 0.65, p < 0.0001]. However, SCT showed better outcomes in mRS [MD = −0.56; 95% CI: −0.76, −0.35, p = 0.30] and BI scores [MD = 12.00; 95% CI: 4.00, 20.00, p = 0.007]. Additionally, the mean change in FMA score was significantly greater with SCT [MD = 18.16; 95% CI: 6.58, 29.75, p = 0.03]. The mean change in infarct volume also favored stem cell therapy [MD = 8.89; 95% CI: −5.34, 23.12, p = 0.08]. The safety profile was favorable, with adverse event rates comparable to or lower than controls. Conclusions: SCT offers a safe and effective approach to improving functional outcomes in stroke patients, particularly with early intervention. These findings highlight the potential of SCT in ischemic stroke rehabilitation while underscoring the need for standardized protocols and long-term safety evaluation.

Introduction: Globally, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer to affect women. The death rate from breast cancer has dramatically dropped as a result of recent advancements in screening and therapy. The negative attitude that society has toward cancer patients, known as the stigma, keeps them from developing effective coping strategies. This study aimed to examine the attitudes of Saudi Arabian men, their behaviors, and their stigma toward females with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia between February 4 and March 31, 2024. Following a comprehensive pilot study involving 50 participants, the researchers developed and validated a pre-structured online questionnaire. Results: In total, 796 (68.2%) met the inclusion criteria and completed the study questionnaire. Participants’ ages ranged between 18 and 60 years with a mean age of 31.6 ± 11.8 years old. Regarding educational level, 129 (23.8%) had a secondary level of education or below, and 403 (74.2%) were university students/graduates. Regarding males’ attitudes toward females with breast cancer, the lowest score, indicating the most positive attitude, was reported for a section on cancer-related myths and preconceptions (1.4/5), followed by women’s working ability (1.6/5), disease severity (1.8/5), and nervousness (2.1/5). Attitudes toward marriage and concealing showed the highest scores, indicating the lowest attitude and perception levels (2.3/5 for each). Men’s score for attitude and stigma was 1.9 ± 0.6 of 5 (38%). Conclusion: This study showed that educated men with sufficient knowledge about breast cancer showed positive attitudes and low stigma towards females with the disease.