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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a regional organization is gaining importance as the Asian region is integrating with converging interests of two major powers, China and Russia in the contemporary setting. These two major powers can create diplomatic readiness in the regional environment for both the countries and can play a constructive role in the conflict resolution between Pakistan and India. The organization is a result of the successful mechanism for dispute resolution among the primary members that gives its mandate and forming history, an operational example for both hostile countries in aspects such as lowering border tensions and confidence building. This can be achieved through its various bilateral channels which would increase contact forums, leading to track one as well as track two diplomacy and dialogue between both countries with the support of other SCO members. The prospects of border dispute resolution are high as SCO has played a positive role in reducing tensions, settling border disputes, maintaining stability and developing cooperation between member states in the past. Efforts for lowering of tensions and regional harmony in South Asia, facilitated by SCO, would truly make this century the 'Asian Century'. The article is an attempt to highlight the role of SCO in resolving conflict between India and Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a major cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, is predominantly transmitted by exposure to blood or body fluids. The infection progresses to a chronic state in 80% of patients, whereas the virus clears completely after the acute infection in 20% of patients. Screening for HCV with an anti-HCV antibody test is recommended for all adults at high risk of infection, and one-time screening is recommended in adults born between 1945 and 1965. If the anti-HCV antibody test result is positive, current infection should be confirmed with a qualitative HCV RNA test. In patients with confirmed HCV infection, quantitative HCV RNA testing and testing for HCV genotype is recommended. An assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis with liver biopsy or noninvasive testing is necessary to determine the urgency of treatment. Treatment of patients with chronic HCV infection should be considered based on genotype, extent of fibrosis or cirrhosis, prior treatment, comorbidities, and potential adverse effects. The goal of therapy is to reduce all-cause mortality and liver-associated complications. Although interferon-based regimens have been the mainstay of treatment for HCV infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved two combination-pill interferon-free treatments (ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir, and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir) for chronic HCV genotype 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]