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:, Mg and Zn) are associated with lower concentrations of inflammatory markers that increased risk of MS.[2,36] The differences between our results and previous studies may be explained by differences in sample size, population group and the method of dietary assessment; or the definitions of MS may not be appropriate for an Iranian population; and self‐reported intake may be imprecise.
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