Evaluate the collective function of references cited together in a given text segment.
Classify their combined role into one of the following categories: 'method', 'background', or 'result'.

Text:Coinciding with our results, it has been previously reported that i.p. injections of β-glucan reduced IFN-γ production induced by concanavalin A in mice (Pelizon et al., 2003).
Category: